Name: Black Soybean Hummus
Yield: Makes about 1 1/4 cups
Ingredients: 1 clove garlic, peeled; 1 1/2 cups cooked black soybeans or 1 can (15 ounces) organic black soybeans, drained (reserve liquid); 2 to 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice; 2 to 3 tablespoons soybean cooking or canning liquid or water; 1 1/2 tablespoons tahini (sesame-seed paste); 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 to 1 teaspoon harissa or 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional); Sweet paprika and oil-cured olives, for garnish

Black soybeans are a terrific stand-in for chickpeas in this robust hummus. Because of soybeans' nuttiness and creamy texture, no olive oil and very little tahini (sesame-seed paste) are required to give the dip its traditionally rich flavor. I like to give the hummus some heat by adding a bit of the North African hot pepper paste called harissa. You'll find harissa and tahini at most international groceries; tahini is also available at health-food stores.

Serve the hummus in a small bowl, garnished with a sprinkling of sweet paprika and a scattering of oil-cured olives. Set a basket of pita triangles on the side.

I often double the recipe so I can make a lunch of hummus and thick strips of roasted red pepper stuffed into a pita pocket.

Recipe notes

Smothered Italian Sausage

This is what I call a fridge-eater recipe. The key here is getting a nice sear on the sausage and cooking the tomato down until it coats the sausage and vegetables well.

Salmon With Sizzled Nut Salsa

A savory-hot salsa made with mixed nuts (like the kind dubbed cocktail nuts meant for snacking) gives roast salmon a kaleidoscope of textures and flavors.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

One-Pot Chicken Thighs With Cilantro Rice and Beans

This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Dulce de Leche

Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.

Golden Mushroom Soup With Orzo & a Pat of Butter

This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.