Hummus

I have to admit, I've never really been into hummus.  It's just one of the things I would always seem to pass over.  I have a friend who loves it and got me thinking about giving it a try again.  I went to the grocery store and picked some up...it was not so hot.  Actually, it was pretty gross, it tasted very artificial and processed.  So, my friend Jill was coming over and I thought I'd make something I knew she liked.  I thought I'd give it one more chance and just make some.

I went to my favorite never~fail chef, Ina Garten.  Some of you may know, she is my favorite chef.  Yes, I have every single cookbook and my tivo is packed with her cooking shows.  Seriously, she is like a rock star to me.  This recipe comes from, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.  Guess what?  I loved the hummus!  It's also super easy.   Serve with pita chips and fresh vegetables.

4 cloves garlic
2 cups canned chickpeas, drained, liquid reserved
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/3 cup tahini (sesame paste)
6 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
2 tablespoons liquid from the chickpeas
8 dashes Tabasco sauce

Place all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and process until the hummus is coarsely pureed.  Taste for seasoning and serve chilled or at room temperature.