By Plavaneeta Borah
NDTV Food

Hummus is probably the only creamy dip which comes with no-guilt attached for being low in calories, yet not lagging behind in terms of taste. A star feature in Middle East and North African cuisines, its name in Arabic refers to chickpeas, an ancient pulse that is still commonly used to make a range of traditional delicacies. While there are many variations to the recipe now, the basic ingredients include chickpeas, sesame, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil and salt, which are blended together to create a lip-smacking treat.

Call for a mezze platter in a Lebanese restaurant, and you will find hummus being served along with falafel, pita breads, baba ganoush, kebabs and other preparations. Take a pita, slather it with hummus and throw in some falafel or kebabs, and it’s a dish that is guaranteed to lift your mood. Or if you are making it at home, you can also use it as a spread on toasts, rotis and sandwiches or as a dip for vegetable crudities and crackers during get-togethers. It is a ridiculously easy recipe, and there are a number of ways you can spruce it up to add some thrill.

While chickpeas seem to be the constant fix in hummus, you can actually give it a skip if you are looking for interesting variations. Opt for other pulses such as white and black beans and even vegetables like peas and zucchini to make your exclusive bowl of hummus. If a flavour spin is in your mind, then use ingredients like red bell peppers, avocados, beetroot, pumpkin, carrots and the like to give a makeover to the classic recipe. In terms of herbs and spices too, you can play around with cumin, chillies, sumac, za’atar, parsley, basil, coriander, etc.

The first step to making hummus involves cooking the chickpeas or pulses, followed by grinding it with the remaining ingredients. The addition of olive oil gives it its creamy texture, while garlic adds zing to the flavour. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice, an extra drizzling of olive oil and a sprinkling of freshly ground red chilli powder on top before laying it out on the table.

Here are our 10 best hummus recipes to help you dish out a range of interesting dips for your next home party –

1. Avocado Hummus
Recipe by Plavaneeta Borah

The popular treat from Middle East gets even creamier with avocados, also known as butter fruit. Tip in a mix of masalas for a boost of flavour. For the recipe, click here.

Who would have thought that hummus could be made without chickpeas? Reshma Khattar Bhagat shows you how to make a healthy zucchini hummus. For the recipe, click here.