Eggplant Hummus

Directions

1. 1
   Pre-heat the oven to 400°F.
2. 2
   Prick the eggplant with a fork and place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for about 40 minutes or until it collapses on itself. Slice it open to cool.
3. 3
   If desired, remove the skin of the eggplant with your hands before adding the flesh to the blender. I like the skin so just drop the whole eggplant in the blender.
4. 4
   Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. If the hummus is too thick, add more water a tablespoon at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
5. 5
   If you'd like, garnish with paprika, pine nuts, olive oil, and chopped basil or other herbs.