Hummus

Food processor or pestle and mortar - This best-selling food processor from Breville will let you blend, chop, purée and grind. You can get it at Amazon for £47.29.

You can use a large pestle and mortar to blend this dip if preferred.

Did you know that you can freeze any leftover hummus? It's usually best if you use it within about three months. Ideally defrost at room temperature, but you can also do it on the hob or in the microwave if you prefer. It's usually OK to eat for a day or two after defrosting.

What to serve with hummus

The classic option is strips of pitta bread, which are excellent for dunking. Just pop the pittas in the toaster for a few minutes, thsn slice into grabbable strips. For a lower-cal alternative, you could try crackers or thin rice cakes.

Hummus is also the ideal dip for crudites, such as sticks of raw cucumber, bell pepper, celery, broccoli or carrot.

Feeling a bit naughtier? Crisps are always an excellent dipping choice. Tortilla chips work particularly well, and you can even try warming them up first.

And it's not all about the dipping! Hummus works brilliantly in wraps and sandwiches - perfect for a quick and easy lunchtime bite.

What is tahini?

If you've never cooked with tahini before, you may be wondering what it is! Tahini is made by crushing and soaking sesame seeds, so it's definitely one to avoid if your child has a seed allergy. Most UK supermarkets sell tahini; it's usually with the oils and condiments, or sometimes in the world foods section.

Choosing your oil

If you don't have extra-virgin oive oil, you can use vegetable oil or sunfower oil in a pinch, though it may not taste quite the same. Hummus connoiseurs usually advise drizzing some extra-virgin on top for a pretty and tasty finish. Making hummus is also a great chance to experiment with all the fancy oils you might see in your local supermarket, to see what delicious flavour combos you can unleash. For example, try using chilli oil to spice up your hummus, or garlic-infused oil for an extra-garlicky flavour.

Can you make hummus without a food processor?

Absolutely! Though it does take a little more effort. One option is to use a traditional pestle and mortar to grind the ingredients up. An easier option is to microwave the chickpeas for 30 seconds or so (to soften them up), then mash them with a fork and stir in the other ingredients. Your hummus will have a slightly rougher texture than hummus made using a food processor, but it'll be just as tasty and good for dipping.

There are so many great ways to liven up your hummus for something a bit different...

Pepper hummus: add some sliced red peppers before blending. For even more depth of flavour, roast the peppers in the oven first.

Lemon and coriander hummus: squeeze in some extra lemon juice and add a sprinkle of fresh coriander (although the hummus already has lemon juice, adding a bit extra will give it a fresh lemony flavour).

Beetroot hummus: adding a bit of beetroot gives the hummus an amazing pink colour that's a real hit with kids.

Avocado hummus: pop in a bit of avocado for a delicious creamy texture.

Garlic hummus: for garlic lovers, you can double the garlic in the recipe, or even triple it!

Spicy hummus: if you love hot flavours, a bit of cayenne pepper and/or a few drops of chilli sauce will liven things up!

For all of these variations, try adding the extra ingredient(s) a bit at a time, tasting until you have the perfect flavour.

Did you know you can even make hummus without tahini? Try our tahini-free hummus recipe.