Vegetable Platter With Cannellini Hummus Food

ROASTED VEGETABLE HUMMUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Toss the eggplant, bell pepper, onion and tomatoes in a bowl with the tablespoon of olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
• Spread them in one layer on a baking sheet and roast for 30 to 40 minutes until the vegetables are very lightly browned and soft.
• Cool slightly and measure out 2 cups for this dish. Save any remaining roasted vegetables for another recipe, such as on a pizza for your lunch.
• In a food processor, place 2 cups cooked garbanzo beans, garlic, sesame tahini and 4 tablespoons olive oil.
• Process until the beans and garlic are almost completely ground.
• Add 2 heaping cups of the roasted vegetables to the processor along with the cumin, olives, salt and cayenne pepper. You can add more or less cayenne to suit your family's taste buds; I usually add at least another 1/4 teaspoon to ours.
• Process until almost smooth, leaving some texture and small bits of the roasted vegetables and olives showing through.
• Add more olive oil or some vegetable broth if you want to thin it out a bit.
• Taste for salt and pepper.
• Serve at room temperature.

CANNELLINI BEAN HUMMUS

Steps:

• Place garlic in a food processor; cover and process until minced. Add the beans, tahini, lemon juice, cumin, salt and pepper flakes; cover and process until smooth. , Transfer to a small bowl; stir in parsley. Refrigerate until serving. Serve with pita wedges and assorted fresh vegetables.

VEGETABLE PLATTER WITH CANNELLINI "HUMMUS"

Steps:

• For hummus:
• Combine first 5 ingredients processor; puree. If necessary, mix in enough water to thin to consistency of thick mayonnaise. Mix in 2 tablespoons minced thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl. Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
• For vegetables:
• Steam potatoes until just tender, about 25 minutes. Transfer to bowl. Cut off stems of artichokes and rub cut surface with cut side of lemon. Cut artichokes lengthwise into quarters and rub cut surfaces with lemon. Cut out choke and rub with lemon. Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add 1 remaining lemon half and artichokes. Cover and boil until a leaf pulls off easily, about 35 minutes. Drain and cool.
• Cook broccoli and cauliflower in large saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender, about 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to bowl of cold water. Add green beans to same boiling water and cook until just tender, about 4 minutes. Drain. Rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Drain. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Wrap vegetables tightly and refrigerate.)
• Arrange all vegetable on large platter. Serve with hummus and pita bread.