Hummus

Ingredients:

• 2 cups canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans), liquid reserved
• 2/3 cup tahini paste*
• 5 tablespoons olive oil , divided
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 3 cloves garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Note: *You can make your own tahini paste in a food processor or blender by grinding toasted sesame seeds. Toast the sesame seeds over medium heat until golden brown, about 3 minutes.

Directions:

1. Reserve the liquid of the chickpeas.
   
2. In a food processor or blender, puree the chickpeas, tahini, 3 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice and garlic until smooth, adding a little of the reserved liquid if the mixture seems too thick; it will be slightly grainy. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Transfer to a shallow bowl or plate.
4. Combine the paprika and the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, drizzle the mixture over the top, and garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.
   

Makes about 3 cups.

Credit to "Great Party Recipes"