Hummus Two Ways

Tried a couple of new recipes for our Halloween shindig the other night, including a couple of variations on traditional hummus.  And the experience taught me a valuable lesson.  I will never buy prepared hummus at the ridiculous prices that you pay at the market.  Instead, I will keep a can of chickpeas on hand and, with a few other pantry ingredients that I'll keep on hand, whip up a batch at will.

Now, these recipes as published in Food Network Magazine, would make a VAT of hummus.  Even after I hlaved them there was too much.  So, unless you're feeing a Mediterranean army, use these versions that I have cut down even further.

That said, these are fun to set out side by side and compare.

Buffalo Wing Hummus
(Makes a little over 2 cups.)

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (Reserve 1/2 cup liquid.)
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons tahini
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons cayenne hot sauce
1/2 tablespoon white vinegar
Generous pinch of kosher salt

Place all ingredients, including 1/4 cup reserved liquid, in a food processor.  Puree until smooth and creamy.  Add additional reserved juice if necessary to achieve right consistency.

(I also think this would be good garnished with a generous sprinkling of blue cheese....)

Pizza Hummus
(Makes a little over 2 cups.)

1/2 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
2 cloves garlic
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (Reserve 1/2 cup liquid.)
2 tablespoons tahini
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Generous pinch of kosher salt

Heat the olive oil in a saute pan.  Add the tomato paste, oregano and basil and cook until toasted, aout 2 minutes.  Transfer mixture to a food processor. (I'll admit that, in a rush to get things ready for the party, I skipped this step and threw everything into the food processor at once.) Add other ingredients, including 1/4 cup reserved liquid, in a food processor. Puree until smooth and creamy. Add additional reserved juice if necessary to achieve right consistency.