Description
This homemade hummus recipe offers a creamy, flavorful dip made from tender cooked chickpeas blended with tahini, garlic, fresh lemon juice, and a touch of seasoning. It highlights a traditional preparation method that uses baking soda to soften chickpeas quickly, resulting in a smooth and rich texture perfect for dipping or spreading. Finished with an olive oil drizzle and optional garnishes like paprika, sumac, or za’atar, this recipe is a delicious and healthy addition to any meal or snack.
Ingredients
Chickpea Preparation
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Hummus Base
- 1 large clove garlic, minced or grated
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus additional to taste
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional to taste
- ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons tahini
- 2 ice cubes
- 3 to 5 tablespoons ice water
For Garnish
- Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- Ground paprika or sumac
- Za’atar
- Reserved 1 tablespoon cooked chickpeas (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Chickpeas: Place the rinsed and drained chickpeas in a pot and cover them with water. Add ½ teaspoon of baking soda to the water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer for about 20 minutes until the chickpeas are softened and tender.
- Prepare Garlic and Lemon Juice: While the chickpeas cook, combine the minced garlic and ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice in a small bowl. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes to mellow the sharpness of the raw garlic and create a balanced flavor.
- Drain and Reserve Chickpeas: Drain the cooked chickpeas and rinse under cold water. Set aside one tablespoon of chickpeas for garnish, if desired, and transfer the remaining warm chickpeas to a food processor or blender.
- Add Lemon-Garlic Mixture and Salt: Strain the lemon and garlic mixture into the food processor with the chickpeas. Add 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and blend until the mixture reaches a smooth consistency.
- Incorporate Tahini and Ice Cubes: Add ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons of tahini and two ice cubes to the blend. Continue to process the mixture until it becomes creamy and well combined.
- Adjust Consistency: If the hummus is too thick, gradually add 3 to 5 tablespoons of ice water, one tablespoon at a time, while blending until the desired creamy texture is achieved.
- Season and Serve: Taste the hummus and adjust seasoning with additional salt or lemon juice if necessary. Transfer the hummus to a serving dish, create a small well in the middle, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Garnish with the reserved chickpeas and a sprinkle of ground paprika, sumac, or za’atar as preferred.
Notes
- Using baking soda helps soften canned chickpeas quickly, simulating the texture of freshly cooked chickpeas.
- Letting the garlic and lemon juice mix rest mellows the sharpness of raw garlic, giving a smoother flavor.
- Adding ice cubes while blending helps create a creamy texture and keeps the hummus cool.
- Adjust the thickness of the hummus with ice water to achieve your preferred consistency.
- Garnish options like paprika, sumac, or za’atar add vibrant color and complementary flavors.
- This hummus can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
