Thursday, May 8, 2008

Hummus

A lot of people I've known tend to dismiss hummus out-of-hand as a "hippie food", something that only smug, self-satisfied martyrs are willing to put into their undernourished mouths. Oh, and I guess those guys in the middle east somewhere eat it too, right? Sometimes I want to swat these people. Hummus is, in essence, BEAN DIP. An exceptionally awesome bean dip, at that. You can shovel it in using raw vegetables, eat it with chips, crackers or bread, or even slather it on sandwiches. It's just that good. This recipe tastes a lot like the hummus my Jordanian teacher used to bring for school functions, and is really easy to make.

Hummus

1 can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed, liquid reserved
1 large clove garlic, pressed
3 T. tahini (ground sesame seeds)
2 T. lemon juice
2 T. extra-virgin olive oil
salt to taste

In a food processor or blender, blend all ingredients EXCEPT the bean liquid and salt until smooth. EDIT: Turns out the hummus comes out smoother and creamier if you start by blending the tahini with the lemon juice first. This emulsifies the tahini and gives it a really great texture! Next, add the garlic and whip until smooth. Add the rest of the ingredients now, using the reserved liquid to thin the mixture as you blend it. You could need anywhere from 3 T. to a half cup of liquid, depending on how thick you like your hummus. Taste before adding salt. Store in a tightly sealed container in the fridge until ready to use.

You want to avoid oversalting this! I've done it before. It's pretty tough to enjoy eating overly-salted hummus with salty crackers. Try adding some roasted peppers and/or a teaspoon of cumin powder, or serve with extra olive oil and paprika on top for something different.

4 comments:

Momma Moose said...

Yuuuuuuummmmmmmmmm.....yuuuuuummmmmmm - you hippie, lol. I was an avowed hummus hater until my sister made me try some she made, then my sister in law made it with toasted hazelnuts. OMG it's good stuff, just do it how it tastes good to you! My son likes lots of cumin, hubby likes garlic powder (not fresh), and I like it with extra tahini.....and so good for you!

Anonymous said...

Y'know? I am a gleeful carnivore and I *adore* hummus. All nice and rich and smooth and spice and...dammit, now I have to go by the deli when I'm out tomorrow.

See what you did to me?

-Rashona

John Cochrane said...

Hummus is nasty, and you are a horrible person for posting such an atrocious recipe.

John

Anonymous said...

I tried your recipe yesterday and I have to say:
HUGE SUCCESS!

I should get a food processor, the blender is a pain in the ass for thicker stuff.

I like my hummus on the zesty side so I about doubled the amount of lemon juice and added some chives.

Thanks for the recipe, now I have some super yummy hummus that was ridiculously easy to make in the fridge!