Kids love dipping, and creating your own dip is an easy way to get them to eat their veggies. This is an incredibly easy make-at-home hummus that your kids can help with and goes perfectly with crudites or pita chips.  Using dried chickpeas, soaking them, then cooking them does create a better hummus flavor.  Canned garbanzos workes in a pinch.

Easy Hummus Recipe

1 cup cooked or canned garbanzo beans

2 cloves garlic

1/3 cup roasted tahini

juice of 1/2 lemon

3 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup water

salt to taste

parsley (optional)

kalamata or black olives (optional)

roasted red peppers (optional)

In a food processor, blend chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil until smooth. Add water as needed for desired consistency. Add salt to taste and parsley for garnish.

If desired, blend in kalamata olives or roasted red peppers for additional flavor.

[This post was written by Kelli Best-Oliver]

Photo: Mediterrasian