How to Make Authentic Hummus – Recipe, Instructions and Practical Tips
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If you have never tried to prepare hummus then read this post as we shall tell you how to make it at home. Here you will find out why you should try this delicious dip, how to serve it and how to make it from scratch at home!
What is hummus and where it originates from? Hummus is a creamy puree, originating from the Middle East. The word “hummus” in Arabic means “chickpea” and this is the main ingredient of this snack. It is believed to be an ancient delicacy and is very popular in Greece, Turkey, Syria, and Israel. Authentic hummus has only 5 ingredients – chickpeas, tahini paste, olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice. It is a great alternative to mayonnaise and in addition, it is much more nutritious.
What hummus tastes like?
Thanks to the crushed chickpeas, hummus has a sweet and nutty taste. Due to the tahini paste, it has a creamy consistency. Lemon juice adds a tart flavor and garlic adds a tangy note. The flavor may vary depending on the addition of spices such as sumac, cumin, smoked paprika, etc.
As we said, the main ingredient is chickpeas, although many other legumes are sometimes used instead, such as peas, beans, etc.
Hummus can be bought in almost any store and supermarket. However, when you choose to buy ready made product from the supermarket, it is recommended that you read the label carefully. Make sure that the product does not contain soy or other vegetable oil. Hummus is made with olive. All other oil varieties lower the quality of the product.
Sometimes store-bought hummus contains soy, not chickpeas. Considering that 90% of soybeans are genetically modified, you may want to consider whether to consume such a product.
Check about preservatives like potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate – food additives that are toxic when consumed in high doses.
Most hummus you find in the store contains too much salt (sodium), which can cause the body to retain water and overload the heart and blood vessels.
The best way to make sure that the dip you eat is of high quality is to make it at home. It is very easy and tastes much better than what you buy in the store. Homemade hummus can be stored for up to 7 days in a refrigerator in a glass container with a tightly closed lid.
How to serve hummus? This dip is versatile and can be served with chips, vegetables, chopped tomatoes, cucumber slices, parsley or cilantro, whole chickpeas and pine nuts, pita bread, toast, boiled eggs, carrots, broccoli, etc.
How to make hummus from scratch?
A well prepared hummus is smooth, creamy, yet somehow light and fluffy. There are two methods of preparing this delicacy – cooking your own chickpeas or using canned chickpeas. When you want to make hummus from scratch, you need to buy dried chickpeas, high quality tahini paste and olive oil. You know that the taste of the product depends on the quality of the ingredients. Tahini paste is a key ingredient in an authentic hummus recipe. It plays an important role for the rich consistency and subtle nutty flavor. Some people add an ice cube while blending the ingredients as it makes it fluffier and with a creamier texture. Here are the basic steps that you need to follow:
Soak and cook the chickpeas – place 1 cup of dry chickpeas into a large bowl and add plenty of water. Leave them soak overnight The chickpeas will expand in the bowl. Drain chickpeas and place them in a cooking pot. Add water – about 2 inches (5 cm) above chickpeas. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 ½ to 2 hours. You should end up with about 3 cups of cooked chickpeas. You can cook canned chickpeas for about 20 minutes to soften them.
Peel the chickpeas – Chickpea skins are edible, but if you want creamy hummus, peel and discard the skin. Cover the cooked chickpeas in hot water and add 1 ½ tsp baking soda. Leave for a few minutes. Take a handful of chickpeas and rub under running water to remove the skins. Discard skins. Let the chickpeas cool completely before using. You can leave the skins, they will not change the taste, just the consistency and texture of the ready dip.
Puree the chickpeas in a food processor – Dry the chickpeas well then add them to the bowl of a large food processor. Run the processor until the chickpeas turn into a smooth paste.
Add the remaining ingredients and keep blending – While the food processor is running, olive oil, tahini, salt, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth. If the consistency is too thick add a little hot water. Blend until you reach desired silky smooth consistency.
Garnish and serve – transfer your hummus into a serving bowl, add a generous drizzle of good extra virgin olive oil, a few chickpeas to the middle and sprinkle with sumac. Serve with vegetables, pita bread or anything else of your choice.
The best authentic hummus recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked chickpeas,
- 1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 ice cubes
- ⅓ cup tahini paste
- Salt to taste
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Hot water, if needed
- 3 tbsps Extra virgin olive oil
- Sumac, for garnish
Instructions:
Add chickpeas and minced garlic to the bowl of a food processor. Puree until a smooth mixture forms. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to integrate any large chunks.
While processor is running, add ice cubes, tahini, salt, olive oil and lemon juice. Blend for about 4 minutes. Check, and if the consistency is too thick, add a little hot water. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Scrape the hummus into a bowl, decorate with a few chickpeas, sprinkle sumac and serve!