Hummus Vegetable Dip

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) can chick-peas, rinsed and well drained
• 5 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
• 2 tablespoons Filippo Berio Olive Oil
• 1 clove garlic, sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Few drops hot pepper sauce (optional)
• Additional lemon juice (optional)
• Assorted cut-up fresh vegetables
• Pita bread wedges
• Oil-cured black olives (optional)
• Additional Filippo Berio Olive Oil (optional)

Directions

Makes about 1-1/4 cups dip In blender container or food processor, place chick-peas, 5 tablespoons lemon juice, water, tahini, 2 tablespoons olive oil, garlic and cumin; process until mixture is thick and creamy. Season to taste with salt, black pepper and hot pepper sauce, if desired. Adjust consistency with additional lemon juice or water, if desired.

Transfer to serving bowl. Cover; refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. Serve with vegetables and pita bread; garnish dip with olives and drizzle of additional olive oil, if desired.