BASIC HUMMUS INGREDIENTS:

• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 –3/4 cup tahini paste (See notes. Make sure it tastes fresh, not bitter or rancid.)
• 2–3 garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup water, more to desired consistency
• 1 teaspoon salt, more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper (I love white pepper here, up to you)
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 14-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained (1/2 cup dried chickpeas, cooked- see notes)

Optional Additions: (Just pick one or two! keep it simple!) 

• preserved lemons (1-2 tablespoons blended in)
• olive brine or caper brine (1-2 teaspoons blended in)
• smoked paprika (1/2 teaspoon for smoky flavor)
• zaatar or sumac -sprinkled over top or blended in
• zhoug – garnish or blended in (1-2 tablespoons)
• gremolata – garnish or blended in ( 1-2 tablespoons)
• harissa paste – garnish or blended in ( 1-2 tablespoons)
• Romesco Sauce – garnish or blended in
• Meyer Lemon Gremolata ( 1-2 tablespoons, overtop)
• Chimichurri Sauce (garnish)
• Yogurt or Labneh ( 1-2 tablespoons blended in) for extra creamy
• Tender herbs- parsley, mint, dill, basil – sprinkled overtop or blended in
• toasted pinenuts – garnish
• toasted sesame seeds- garnish
• marinated or warm roasted tomatoes- garnish
• warm olives-create a well and pile it in the middle
• fresh garden veggies – (carrots, cucs, radishes, snap peas, jicama, celery, tomatoes, etc)
• warm ratatouille– garnish- pile it overtop.
• marinated feta cubes ( or baby mozzarella balls)
• Marinated Fava beans
• Marinated Veggies
• kalamata olives or jumbo Caperberries