A Dip You Don’t Have To Feel Guilty About

Surrounded by fresh vegetable crudites and crackers, a bowlful of this full-flavored dip wins over party-goers, health conscious or not.

Chickpeas, alias garbanzo beans, blend to a creamy thickness without a whisper of fat.

Nonfat buttermilk dressing, lemon juice, yogurt and crushed red pepper contribute the zip.

Peppy Chickpea Dip

15-ounce can garbanzo beans, drained

1/2 cup plain yogurt

1/4 cup nonfat buttermilk salad dressing

2 tablespoons fine dry seasoned bread crumbs

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

2 tablespoons chopped pitted ripe olives

Assorted vegetable dippers or crackers

In a food processor bowl or blender container combine garbanzo beans, yogurt, salad dressing, bread crumbs, lemon juice and red pepper.

Cover and process or blend until smooth.

Stir in olives. Chill, covered, for at least 1 hour.

Serve with vegetable dippers or crackers.

Yield: About 1 2/3 cups.

Nutrition information per tablespoon: 24 calories, no fat, no cholesterol, 1 gram protein 4 grams carbohydrate, 1 gram fiber, 108 milligrams sodium.

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