Homemade Crackers and Hummus

Most times when asked to bring a favorite dish to a get together I bring some homemade sesame crackers and hummus. Both are super easy to make and lots of variations can be made from my basic recipes. My versions are low in fat; hummus usually has olive oil added but garbanzo beans are already high in fat so I do not add additional fat. My crackers only have a couple tablespoons of oil; enough to separate the gluten (Gluten is flour's protein that gives strength to baked products... fat acts as a tenderizer by 'breaking' up the gluten .... too much gluten together creates a tough product, so I can't make a good cracker without some fat, but I certainly don't need the high amount that is found in most store bought crackers.) Here are my recipes if you'd to try them out .....

Sesame Crackers

1 ½ cups flour

1 tsp salt

½ tsp baking powder

¼ cup sesame seeds

1 ½ Tbsp oil

1/3 – ½+ cup water

Mix together the flour, salt, baking powder and sesame seeds

Drizzle the oil on top of flour mixture and stir in well.

Gradually stir in water, adding just enough so that the batter can be gathered up into a ball.

Roll the dough out on a floured board or floured tea towel. Roll thin and transfer to a baking sheet.

Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden around the edges.

Break into pieces and serve as is or with dips and spreads.

Note: You can use all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour or a mix of the two. However you make these I'm sure you'll enjoy them!

Hummus

1 ½ cups cooked garbanzo beans (chick peas)

Liquid from cooked beans

1 ½ Tbsp lime juice

1-2 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbsp tahini

Salt to taste

· Combine all ingredients, except liquid from the cooked beans, in a blender or food processor. Add just enough of the liquid to make the consistency you want.

· Adjust seasoning to taste.

Serve with wedges of pita bread or homemade sesame crackers.

If using pita bread, I like to split the bread, cut into wedges and toast in the oven until crisp and golden. You may want to add some favorite spices to them before baking.

Hummus is also good as a sandwich filling with tomatoes, lettuce etc.