Hummus Pasta

Ingredients measuring cup Servings: 4 Fine salt 1 (1-pound) package bucatini, spaghetti or your other favorite pasta 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil) 1 cup hummus 1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes, plus more for garnish 2/3 cup sliced kalamata olives, plus more for garnish 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, plus more to taste Extra-virgin olive oil, for serving Directions Time Icon Total: 20 mins Step 1 Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Step 2 While the pasta is cooking, scoop out 2 cups of the boiling water from the pot and transfer to a small bowl. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and let them soak until tender, 5 to 10 minutes, then drain and chop. Step 3 When the pasta is done, scoop out 1 cup of the cooking water, then drain. Return the cooked pasta and 1/2 cup of the reserved water to the same pot and stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, hummus, fresh tomatoes, olives, basil, lemon juice and pepper, tossing to combine. Add some or all of the remaining cooking water if needed to loosen the sauce. Taste, and season with salt, more lemon juice and/or pepper, if needed. Step 4 Garnish with more tomatoes, olives and basil, and drizzle with olive oil. Serve warm, at room temperature or cold. -- Carie Forden, Ph.D. Professor and Chair Department of Psychology The American University in Cairo AUC Department of Psychology... Transforming Communities, Empowering Lives!