"This doesn't get cooked, so the garlic does not mellow. I've scaled back the amount I usually use so as to be slightly more reasonable, but feel free to adjust it further one way or the other to suit your own tastes. Also, if you've never made hummus, it's not the most appealing substance when it's in progress, but it really is good when it's done. And one more note: if, like me, you don't like olives, include them anyway. They do make a flavour difference, but they get completely hidden once everything's all processed and blended."