Mediterranean 7 Layer Dip

One of the worst things about going to "parties," "get togethers," and (especially) potlucks is that there is never anything for me to eat. There is stuff for grazing like chips and salsa, some fruit, and sometimes a salad (if it hasn't been drenched in dressing). But nothing substantial. This is a spin off of a dish a good friend of mine brought to a pool party once. It was delicious, light, and actually had some protein for me. Hooray. Not to mention that I grow almost all the ingredients in my garden, so I don't have to make special trips to the store if I am craving this dish.

The base of this dip is hummus. I often make my own hummus (I promise I will get the recipe up next time I make it), because it is a lot more economical to cook some beans or use a can and make hummus, than to pay $3-5 for a small tub. However, there is this store, if you live in SLC you must check it out, called NPS and they sell slightly outdated or damaged goods and I have been buying up hummus in bulk because you can freeze it. And if you let it thaw in the refrigerator it doesn't do anything to the consistency or flavor. And when hummus is being sold for $.10-.50 a pop (the good kinds), I would be a fool not to stock up. Not to mention that my one year old can eat an entire container by himself in 3 days. So we buy lots of hummus when it is on super sale.

When you look at this dip, you will think, 'Hey, that is only 6 layers.' That is because I count the cracker being used as the 7th layer. This dip is best served with pita bread or chips but I have also used Triscuits and olive oil crackers as well.

Also, this dish works best with plain hummus. These pictures are taken with roasted red pepper hummus because that is what I had, but the plain hummus allows for other flavors to be dominant.

Last of all, if you are a cheese eater, feta goes really well as an official 7th layer.

Ingredients

1 tub plain hummus

1/4 red onion, finely diced

2-3 Roma tomatoes, diced

1 cucumber, diced

Fresh dill, coarsely chopped

Fresh basil, coarsely chopped

pita bread, pita chips, or crackers

Directions

1. Prep all vegetables, dill, and basil

2. On a platter or square pan, even spread the hummus. Even sprinkle/spread each ingredient over hummus one at a time: onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, dill, basil

3. Cover and chill in refri

gerator until ready to serve with pita, pita chips, or crackers

4. ENJOY

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