Looking for a delicious and easy appetizer or snack? Look no further than this simple hummus and pita recipe! Perfect for a casual get-together or a quiet night in, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your household. It’s also incredibly versatile – you can easily adjust the spices to your liking, and serve it with a variety of accompaniments.

This recipe makes enough hummus and pita for about 4 people, but you can easily double or triple it depending on your needs.

Ingredients:

For the Hummus:

• 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup ice water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
• Paprika, for garnish (optional)

For the Pita Bread:

• 4 pita breads (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions:

Making the Hummus:

1. Combine the chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and salt in a food processor.
2. Process until smooth, adding ice water as needed to reach your desired consistency. You want it creamy, but not too runny.
3. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil.
4. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. You might want more lemon juice, garlic, or cumin depending on your preference.
5. Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl. Drizzle with extra olive oil and sprinkle with paprika, if desired.

Serving the Hummus and Pita:

1. Warm the pita breads according to package instructions. You can heat them in a dry skillet, oven, or microwave.
2. Serve the hummus with the warm pita bread. You can also serve it with other vegetables like carrots, celery, or cucumber.

Tips and Variations:

• For a smoother hummus, remove the skins from the chickpeas before processing. This is a bit more time-consuming, but it makes a noticeable difference in texture.
• If you don’t have tahini, you can substitute with a similar amount of peanut butter or sunflower seed butter. The flavor will be slightly different, but it will still be delicious.
• Feel free to experiment with different spices. Roasted red peppers, smoked paprika, or a pinch of cayenne pepper can all add interesting flavors to your hummus.
• For a richer hummus, use extra virgin olive oil.
• Leftover hummus can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Enjoy your homemade hummus and pita! It’s a simple recipe that’s perfect for any occasion. Let us know in the comments how yours turned out!