Chips for Dips

Serves 12 (as an appetizer)

12 corn tortillas -- or pita, whole wheat tortillas, whatever non-stick spray (health food stores have ones without the propellant or use an oil pump)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet generously with non-stick spray.

Stack the tortillas and cut them into 6 even pieces, sort of like a pizza. Place on the cookie sheet and lightly spray the tortillas. Bake for 8 minutes or so checking to make sure they don't get too brown.

Let cool and serve with hummus or Black Bean Dip. Put a generous portion of veggies out with the chips, too.


NOTE: Make sure you only use the non-stick sprays from the health food store. The others are full of propellant and unless you plan on flying your food, propellant doesn't belong there. Or buy an oil pump that uses air to help spray. Available at Wal-Mart and other stores, for under $10. Great investment.

Dr. Weil's Hummus

10 servings

This wonderful bean spread has gained in popularity over the past few years. Our version has all the benefits of a more traditional recipe, but with less olive oil. The combination of garbanzo beans (also called chickpeas), tahini, lemon juice, cumin and garlic is a show-stopper. This is wonderful as a sandwich spread or as a dip with raw vegetables or pita triangles. Keep a batch in your refrigerator all the time and you'll never be without a nutritious snack or lunch.

Ingredients:
1-3/4 cups dried chickpeas (garbanzos)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup sesame tahini
1/4 cup cold water
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
3-4 cloves garlic, mashed
1 tablespoon

extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions:
1. Soak the chickpeas for 8 hours with the baking soda in cold water to cover.

2. Bring the chickpeas to a boil over high heat, reduce heat, cover, and cook until soft, about 45 minutes. Drain, reserving a bit of the liquid.

3. Make the tahini sauce: Blend in a food processor or blender the tahini, cold water, lemon juice, cumin, and garlic. Measure out 1/2 cup of this sauce for the hummus, saving the rest.

4. Put the drained chickpeas in a food processor and process to a rough purée, adding a little of the cooking liquid if necessary. The mixture should not be totally smooth. Add the tahini sauce and process until just mixed.

5. Scrape the mixture into a bowl. Stir in the olive oil.

6. Serve with pita bread, whole-grain crackers, or carrot sticks.

Hummus

Store-bought hummus is tasty, but homemade is even more flavorful. Serve it with Arab, pita or whole-wheat bread, or as a dip for raw vegetables.

2 cups (11 1/2 oz/328 g) cooked chick-peas
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup (2 fl oz/59 ml) lemon juice
1/4 cup (2 fl oz/59 ml) olive oil Cold water
2 tablespoons (30 ml) chopped fresh parsley

Puree the chick-peas and garlic in a food processor, blender, or food mill. Mix in the lemon juice and olive oil. Add a little water, if needed, to make a soft mixture. Sprinkle the chopped parsley on top and chill at least 1 hour before serving.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes (after the chick-peas are cooked)