Hummus

Not only is hummus a classic spread beloved in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel, but versions of it seem to appear in every supermarket refrigerator case here in the United States. It has become the perfect appetizer and probably is lunch for many a person trapped at a desk. Serve hummus with warm pita bread or spears of cucumber, radish, carrot, and green onion. It also can be a rich and creamy garnish for falafel.