Another of the culinary wonders you can find in Mediterranean and Middle East cuisine is hummus.
It’s a delicious spread made from chickpeas that many know thanks to its delicious flavor and great nutritional properties.
Hummus has become so popular worldwide that you can find store-bought versions in almost every grocery store! However, there is no more delicious alternative than the one you can make at home.
Do you want to learn how to make this delicious spread to delight your guests at the upcoming party, or just have something delicious for snacking during the next movie night? Here’s all the information you need to know!
What Is Hummus?
As mentioned, it’s a creamy spread or dip made from mashed chickpeas, tahini, and spices. Some people also add lemon, garlic, and olive oil!
Hummus is commonly found in the Middle East and the Mediterranean region, but it has become so popular that it is a part of dishes and recipes all over the world. It’s eaten with vegetables or just plain crackers, but you can also use it as a spread for delicious sandwiches.
Also, hummus is considered a clean and healthy food, so it’s even more versatile than you might have thought.
Since it’s made from chickpeas, hummus is an excellent source of fiber, protein, and healthy carbohydrates. In addition, it has other superfoods, such as olive oil and garlic, which are part of the world-renowned Mediterranean Diet.
Therefore, whether you are on a diet to lose weight or only want to lead a healthier lifestyle, hummus may be ideal for you, especially if you want to give your meals more flavor and creaminess.
Are you ready to learn how to prepare hummus to have healthy options at home or complement the delicious Mediterranean dishes you prepare every weekend? You’ve come to the right place! Find the best recipe here.
Ingredients to Make Hummus at Home
Before starting to prepare this delicious recipe, the first thing you should do is find high-quality ingredients. This is what you need:
- 3 cups chickpeas (you can use canned or dried chickpeas, but making your own from scratch is ideal for preparing a healthier, more delicious hummus)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ⅓ cup tahini or sesame seeds paste
- 1 lemon
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 ice cubes
Cooking Instructions
Once you have all the ingredients, you can start preparing this delicious hummus. You only have to follow the steps described below!
#1 Prepare the Chickpeas
If you plan to use dried chickpeas, the first step in making hummus is to soak and cook them. Ideally, you should let them soak overnight and cook them for at least two hours.
Place a cup of cry chickpeas in a large bowl and add water. Make sure it covers them by at least 2-3 inches. Let it soak overnight.
The next morning, when the chickpeas have expanded in the bowl, drain and rinse them. After that, put them in a medium-sized heavy cooking pot and cover them with the same amount of water.
Take the cooking pot with the chickpeas to a boil. Then, lower the heat and let it simmer for a couple of hours. This way, you will have about 3 cups of cooked chickpeas!
If you prefer to use canned chickpeas, just let them simmer for around 20 minutes. This step will make them softer.
#2 Peel the Chickpeas
Once you have the chickpeas soft and cooked, it’s time to peel them. There are different methods, but this is the easiest.
Just cover the cooked chickpeas with plenty of hot water and add 1 ½ teaspoon of baking soda. Let them rest in that mixture for about five minutes.
After that, take a handful of chickpeas and rub them under running water, making sure to remove the skins. Once they’re peeled and completely cool, you can move on to the next step!
#3 Process the Chickpeas
As a third step, dry the chickpeas and add them to a food processor. Pick a big one with a sharp blade!
Pulse in the food processor until the chickpeas turn into a smooth, creamy paste. Remember that it shouldn’t have too large pieces. Instead, make sure this mixture is similar to a powder.
#4 Keep Mixing
While processing the chickpeas, add two ice cubes to the mix. At this point, you should also add the tahini, salt, and the fresh squeeze of one lemon.
Blend the chickpea mixture for about four minutes or until the paste is creamy enough. If it’s too thick, run the food processor again and slowly add a little hot water.
Continue mixing until the mixture is smooth in texture! After that, cover the chickpea paste and put it in the fridge for about an hour.
#5 Serve
Once cold, remove the mixture from the refrigerator and spread it in a bowl to serve. Add a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil (three tablespoons, approximately).
You can garnish it with some chickpeas or any other ingredient you like. Many people sprinkle sumac or paprika on top, and the result is amazing!
#6 Enjoy!
Finally, you should only enjoy your hummus with your favorite foods! You can dip some crispy pita bread triangles or your favorite vegetables.
Hummus goes well with any vegetable, from carrots to cucumbers! You can also use it as a spread on toast or in your favorite sandwich. Just be creative and experiment as much as you can!
Common Substitutions and Variations
Tahini is a key ingredient to make hummus, but it can be hard to find in some grocery stores.
Ideally, you shouldn’t substitute tahini with another product, as it is essential to give your hummus its characteristic flavor. However, if you can’t find it, there are some alternatives you can consider.
When making hummus, nut butter might help you get the right texture. The best options are cashew or almond butter. Some people also use Brazil nut butter.
Another product that can substitute tahini is Greek yogurt. However, all the options mentioned above can alter the flavor profile of hummus even though they might add creaminess to the recipe.
You can also add other ingredients if you want to make a variation of hummus. In this case, you shouldn’t replace any product but add a new one.
The most popular hummus variations include the following:
- Beet hummus
- Roasted red pepper hummus
- Roasted garlic hummus
- Avocado hummus
Tips to Make the Perfect Hummus
If you want to make the perfect hummus to store at home or wow your friends and family, don’t forget to follow these tips:
- Cook the chickpeas well, even if you use a canned version since they must be tender if you want to get good results.
- Although the skin of the chickpeas is edible, peeling them will help you have a creamier hummus. You can leave the skin on, and this doesn’t really change the flavor, but its texture will be more rustic.
- You can also add more ice cubes while blending if you want your hummus to be fluffier.
- Take your time to use the food processor. The mixture should blend for about five minutes or more to get that creamy texture.
- Don’t skimp when adding tahini and use a high-quality version. As mentioned, this ingredient is key to preparing hummus since it gives this chickpea paste that characteristic nutty flavor.
FAQs
What Can I Eat Hummus With?
Hummus is perfect as a dip with pita bread. However, you can enjoy this delicious recipe alongside other small plates, such as roasted cauliflower and baba ganoush, or with Mediterranean dinner bowls.
Another delicious way to enjoy hummus is as a side dish alongside chicken skewers or Greek souvlaki.
How Many Chickpeas Should I Use If I Choose the Canned Version?
If you prefer canned chickpeas, you should also use three cups.
How Many Servings Can I Get If I Prepare This Recipe?
With this recipe, you can make eight servings.
How Many Calories Does Hummus Have?
Each serving of hummus has around 176 calories, but it depends on how much oil you add and if you use other ingredients.
What Can I Do If I Added More Liquid Than I Should and My Hummus Isn’t as Thick as I Want?
If you used more liquid than you should or want your hummus to be thicker, you can add more tahini. Chilling the hummus for at least an hour before serving or adding a garnish may also help improve its consistency.
Do you want your hummus to be creamier? In that case, you can add a tablespoon or two of Greek yogurt to the mixture while using the food processor.
Can I Store Hummus in the Fridge?
Yes, of course! You only have to store your hummus in a container with a lid and take it to the refrigerator. Then, serve anytime you want!
Final Thoughts
Hummus is delicious, nutritious, and healthy. Besides being an incredibly delicious recipe, it adds many nutrients to your diet.
Also, this chickpea dip is very versatile. You can enjoy it as a garnish, with toast for breakfast, or with your favorite meat dishes. It’s just amazing, and you don’t need to spend a fortune or hours to make it!
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