Description
This Homemade Hummus recipe offers a creamy, flavorful Middle Eastern dip made from cooked chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. The process involves simmering chickpeas with baking soda for softness, blending them with a lemon-garlic mixture and tahini, and finishing with a smooth, creamy texture enhanced by ice cubes and ice water. Garnished with olive oil, paprika, sumac, or za’atar, it’s perfect as a dip or spread.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 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
- Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
For Garnish
- Reserved 1 tablespoon chickpeas (optional)
- Ground paprika or sumac
- Za’atar
Instructions
- Cook Chickpeas: Place rinsed and drained chickpeas in a pot, cover with water, and add baking soda. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until the chickpeas are softened thoroughly.
- Prepare Garlic Mixture: While the chickpeas are cooking, combine the minced or grated garlic and freshly squeezed lemon juice in a small bowl. Let this mixture sit for 10 minutes to mellow the sharpness of the garlic.
- Drain and Reserve Chickpeas: Drain and rinse the cooked chickpeas. Set aside one tablespoon for garnish if desired. Transfer the remaining warm chickpeas into a food processor or blender.
- Add Lemon-Garlic and Salt: Strain the lemon-garlic mixture into the food processor containing the chickpeas. Add salt and blend until smooth to combine flavors.
- Incorporate Tahini and Ice Cubes: Add the tahini and ice cubes to the mixture and blend until the hummus is creamy and well combined.
- Adjust Consistency: If the hummus is too thick, add ice water one tablespoon at a time while blending until you reach the desired creamy consistency.
- Season and Serve: Taste the hummus and adjust salt and lemon juice as needed. Transfer the hummus to a serving dish, create a small well in the center, and drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil. Garnish with the reserved chickpeas and sprinkle with ground paprika, sumac, or za’atar for added flavor and visual appeal.
Notes
- Using baking soda in the cooking water helps soften the chickpeas, making the hummus smoother.
- Letting the garlic sit in lemon juice mellows its bite, resulting in a more balanced flavor.
- Adding ice cubes and ice water helps achieve a creamy and light texture in the hummus.
- Reserve some chickpeas for garnish to add a nice texture contrast and presentation.
- Adjust lemon juice and salt to taste before serving for optimal flavor balance.
