Hummus (My Siti’s Recipe)

Ingredients

  • Chickpeas (1 can – 15oz)  Drained and rinsed

***Save the juice from the chickpeas in a separate bowl – You will use this as you blend*** It is the secret ingredient to make it taste creamy

  • Garlic (1 or 2 cloves). Start with 1 clove and make sure it is finely minced.
  • Tahini (2-3 tablespoons).  You will find this in the ethnic aisle or by the nut butters. Often the oil is on the top so make sure you give it a good stir before scooping and adding to the blender.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice (1 lemon). Fresh lemon juice is just the thing to add tang here. Start with half and add to taste.
  • Salt.  Any kind is fine. I like Himalayan Pink Salt or Sea Salt but Kosher salt is fine too!  Just a pinch of salt and add to your liking. You can always add more.
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil. (1-2 Tablespoons) You can always add more of this as well.
  • Garnish. My favorite way to garnish a bowl of hummus to make an elegant presentation is as follows: Make a little divet in the center of hummus, pour EVOO in the middle. Add a few sprinkles of ground cumin and paprika.  You can also garnish with fresh parsley for a picture-perfect presentation.

Directions

Place ingredients in the blender or food processor

  1. Chickpeas, Garlic, Tahini, Olive oil (1/2 tablespoon) and some chickpea juice.  Pulse and Blend.
  • Use a spoon or spatula and push ingredients from sides of the blender back into the center.  Squeeze the juice from ½ the lemon and add a little more chickpea juice and remaining olive oil.  Blend thoroughly.
  • Use a spoon or spatula and mix adding more juice of the chickpeas. You can also add more lemon to taste. The goal is to get a nice creamy consistency.
  • Taste and add a sprinkle of cumin. Maybe two shakes. 

**You can add more salt, lemon or olive oil here if you want for taste**

  • Pour hummus into a dish with a spoon or spatula.  Put a hole in the middle and drizzle some olive oil.  Sprinkle Cumin and Paprika as a garnish. A few sprigs of parsley also adds a nice touch.

Ready to serve with crackers, olives, cheese, veggies and pita bread.