Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

What's a simple, beautiful and healthy appetizer to make for any party? Roasted red pepper hummus! Don't bother buying the pre-made stuff, it is so easy and so much more delicious to make hummus yourself! Serve with fresh crudité such as bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots and baked pita bread drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with paprika and salt. Be sure to make extra hummus to enjoy on sandwiches and in wraps.

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
An easy and healthy appetizer or snack!
Makes 3 cups

3 cups drained cooked chickpeas

1 jarred roasted red bell pepper, chopped (about 1/2 cup)

2 cloves minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1/2 cup tahini

2 tablespoons water

Juice from 1 lemon, to taste

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

Ground black pepper, to taste                                                                    

1 tablespoon chopped parsley leaves

1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika

 

In the bowl of a food processor, place the chickpeas and red bell pepper. Add the garlic, salt, crushed red pepper, tahini, water, 4 tablespoons of the lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, cumin, and pepper and process until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. Taste and adjust the seasoning by adding salt and additional lemon juice, if necessary, to taste. Transfer to a wide shallow bowl for serving and use the back of a serving spoon to form a well in the center of the hummus. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle the top with the parsley, and paprika. Serve at room temperature, with pita chips and fresh veggies for dipping.

 

Recipe adapted from Food Network