Place lemon juice and tahini into the bowl of a food processor. (Make sure to stir the tahini very well before measuring, as the contents may have settled and separated.) Process for 30 seconds, scrape down bowl, and process for an additional 30 seconds until well blended.

Add the next four ingredients, mixing well until combined. Place chickpeas in a colander, drain, and rinse well. Add to food processor bowl, along with the water, and process until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. You may want to add some more water, depending on how thick or thin you like your hummus.

Place oil and onions in a large nonstick frying pan. Sauté, over a medium-low flame, stirring every couple of minutes until onions caramelize and are soft and a deep golden brown. (This may take about 30–35 minutes.)

Add garlic, and cook three to five minutes. Add mushrooms and sauté for an additional 10–15 minutes, until soft. Add the next five ingredients, mix well, and cook until all of the liquid has evaporated from the pan.

Serve the topping warm over prepared hummus base, and drizzle with extra olive oil right before serving. This is best served on hummus that has been warmed (in the oven or microwave), or brought to room temperature.

To roast the eggplant, remove two stove grates, and line stovetop with strips of aluminum foil around each burner (to make cleanup easier). Prick eggplants in several spots with a fork or knife. Place each eggplant directly on top of a burner, and turn heat to medium. Using a pair of tongs, rotate the eggplants every five minutes, until skin is evenly charred. This can take 15–20 minutes, depending on the size of the eggplant.

Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).

Slice eggplants in half vertically, brush with olive oil, and place in a baking pan, skin-side down. Roast for 20–25 minutes, or until eggplant is deflated and flesh is soft. Set aside until eggplant is cool enough to handle.

Scoop out the flesh, and add to the prepared hummus in the food processor, along with the salt, lemon juice, and garlic. Blend until fully incorporated. Remove mixture from food processor and stir in chopped parsley by hand. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Garnish with an additional drizzle of olive oil, chopped fresh parsley, pine nuts, and a sprinkle of paprika.