Middle Eastern
Ultra-Creamy Classic Hummus
Silky-smooth chickpea hummus whipped with tahini, lemon and garlic and finished with olive oil, paprika and parsley.
- Restaurant-smooth texture
- Vegan and gluten-free
- Keeps for five days
The difference between grainy and cloud-like hummus comes down to two tricks. First, we simmer canned chickpeas with a little baking soda until they are falling-apart soft, which loosens their skins. Second, we whip the tahini with lemon and ice water before the chickpeas go in, so the base turns pale and fluffy. The result rivals any restaurant version.
Instructions
Place the chickpeas and baking soda in a saucepan, cover with water by 2 inches and bring to a boil over high heat.
Reduce to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes, until the chickpeas are very soft and easily crushed between your fingers and many skins float to the top.
Drain in a colander and rinse under cool water, rubbing gently to remove as many loose skins as you can.
Meanwhile, process the garlic, lemon juice and salt in a food processor until finely chopped, then let it sit for 10 minutes to mellow the garlic.
Add the tahini and process for about 1 minute, until thick and creamy.
With the motor running, drizzle in the ice water 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture turns pale and fluffy.
Add the chickpeas and cumin and process for 3 to 4 minutes, stopping to scrape down the bowl, until completely smooth.
Adjust the texture with more ice water if needed and taste for salt and lemon.
Spread the hummus in a shallow bowl, make a swirl with the back of a spoon, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with paprika and parsley. Serve with warm pita and vegetables.
Test kitchen tips
- Hummus keeps for 5 days refrigerated in an airtight container; let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
- Do not skip the long processing time, because it is what makes the texture silky.
- Top with sauteed spiced lamb, roasted red peppers or toasted pine nuts to turn it into a centerpiece.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 210
- Protein
- 7g
- Carbs
- 17g
- Fat
- 14g
- Fiber
- 5g
- Sugar
- 1g
- Sodium
- 390mg
Nutrition values are estimates calculated per serving. See our disclaimer.
