Description
This classic hummus recipe is creamy, flavorful, and easy to make, using simple pantry ingredients like canned chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. Perfect as a healthy dip or spread, it can be prepared in just 20 minutes using a food processor and served with pita bread, chips, or fresh veggies.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 (15½ oz.) cans chickpeas
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
- ¼ cup sesame tahini, well stirred (preferably Joyva Sesame Tahini)
- 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- Heaping ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- ⅓ cup reserved liquid from chickpea cans (approximate)
For Garnish
- Few reserved whole chickpeas
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley (optional)
- Paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Chickpeas: Reserve the liquid from the canned chickpeas, then drain the chickpeas in a colander without rinsing. Set aside a few whole chickpeas for garnishing later.
- Blend Ingredients: In the bowl of a food processor with a metal blade, combine the drained chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, olive oil, and about ⅓ cup of the reserved liquid from the chickpeas. Process for several minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If the hummus is too thick, add more reserved liquid gradually and continue processing until the desired consistency is achieved. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve Hummus: Transfer the smooth hummus to a serving bowl. Use the back of a spoon to create a shallow well in the center. Drizzle extra olive oil over the surface, then sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and paprika if using. Garnish with the reserved chickpeas.
- Serving Suggestions and Storage: Serve the hummus at room temperature alongside pita bread, pita chips, or fresh crudités. You can prepare hummus up to two days in advance and store it in a covered container in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a smoother hummus, peel the chickpeas by gently pinching each one; this step is optional but improves texture.
- If you prefer spicier hummus, increase cayenne pepper amount gradually.
- Use good quality extra virgin olive oil for drizzling to enhance flavor.
- Leftover hummus can be refrigerated for up to two days.
- Serve with pita bread, pita chips, or fresh vegetables like carrot and cucumber sticks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dip
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
