Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus

This recipe originates from the May 2011 Issue of Working Mother (which always seems to include recipes in the back of the mag). Below is a slightly modified version of the printed original.

Makes 2.5 cups.
Time: 10-20 minutes

You'll need:
1-3 cloves of garlic
1 can of garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed
1/4 cup tahini
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground paprika
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes in olive oil, drained
1-2 pinches of coarse sea salt

Put garlic in the food processor and pulse until chopped. Add remaining ingredients and process 3 to 4 minutes, until chunks are blended and the mixture is thick and creamy with a silky texture. If hummus is too thick, add a few tablespoons of water, up to a 1/4 cup, and process to desired consistency.


Review and Suggestions:
If you find yourself hummus curious, I strongly urge you not to introduce yourself by purchasing a store bought hummus. The time spent in making homemade hummus is well worth the time and effort. This hummus does not disappoint in the least. I much prefer this to "Stas's recipe for Hummus". However, this recipe cannot be made anything but better with the inclusion of bell peppers. The biggest drawback to this recipe is the initial cost of the tahini! Luckily tahini has a decent shelf life stored in the fridge.

1. The original recipe called for 2 Tablespoons of salt. I of course did this, and while the recipe turned out just dandy I spent the rest of the evening very thirsty. Thus I have modified the recipe to reduce the salt content. More salt can be added for desired taste.
2. Jared sun dried tomatoes can be very expensive compared to their dried and sealed counterparts. I strongly suggest this approach even if you spend a few extra minutes looking for them in the grocery store.
3. Do not even think of using any other type of oil. You will regret it.
4. If you really are seeking a smooth hummus make sure your food processor is upwards of a 4 cup capacity. Otherwise you'll end up with a mostly blended but slightly chunky hummus. I personally prefer this slightly chunky variety.

Possible Future add ins:
1/2 teaspoon of red curry powder
1/4 red, orange, or yellow bell pepper
small handful of parsley