Hummus

  INGREDIENTS Serves 4

1 ¼ cups/225g/8oz dried chick peas, soaked overnight

1 bouquet garni

1 small onion, sliced

2 cloves garlic, crushed

juice of 2 lemons

4 tbsp/60ml/2oz tahini paste

3 tbsp/45ml olive oil

salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 tomato, sliced

sprig of parsley

METHOD

1-Drain the chick peas and place in a large saucepan with plenty of water, the bouquet garni and onion. Bring to the boil then simmer gently for 1 ¾ -2 hours, or until tender.

2-Drain, reserving a little of the cooking liquid. Discard the onion and bouquet garni.

3-Place the garlic, lemon juice, tahini, olive oil and seasoning in a food processor or blender. Add the cooked chick peas and process to a smooth paste.

4-Add a little of the reserved cooking liquid if the paste is too thick, and stir rapidly. Arrange the hummus in a dish, edge with halved tomato slices and garnish with parsley.

Serve with warmed pitta bread.