Best hummus
This recipe from our friends at Soom showcases the beauty of simple ingredients and a handful of special techniques. High-quality chickpeas and tahini make all the difference– they blend together to make the creamiest version of this classic dip. You can play with the toppings depending on what’s in your pantry.
- Time: 1 hour (plus bean cooking)
- Cookware: bean cooking vessel of choice, small pot, food processor/high-powered blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried Primary Beans Chickpeas
- Bean aromatics: 2 cloves garlic, 2 bay leaves, olive oil
- Coarse salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- Juice from 2 lemons
- ¾ cups high-quality tahini (such as Soom)
- ¼ cup ice-cold water, plus more as needed
- Topping ideas: Good olive oil, harissa paste, pickled hot peppers, Aleppo-style chili flakes, crushed cumin seeds, fresh herbs
Steps
Prepare the chickpeas: Combine the Chickpeas and the aromatics in the cooking vessel of your choice with ¼ tsp salt. Cover with water and cook according to the Primary Beans cooking guide. Remove bay leaves and add chickpeas with their broth to a small pot. Add water as needed to cover by 2 inches and stir in baking soda. Simmer over medium heat for 20-30 minutes, or until chickpeas are very soft and start to break down. Drain chickpeas and rinse under cold water.
Blend the ingredients: Meanwhile, combine lemon juice, garlic, and remaining salt in a food processor or high-powered blender. Process until garlic is finely chopped, then allow to rest at least 10 minutes so the garlic flavor can mellow. Add tahini and blend until mixture is thick and creamy, scraping down sides as necessary. While the device is running, add 2 tbsp ice-cold water and then another 2 tbsp, blending until the mixture is super smooth and pale. Add in drained chickpeas and blend until very smooth. The dip should be thick, but you can add a little more water if necessary. Season with salt to taste.
Serve and enjoy: Scoop hummus into a shallow bowl and use a spoon to smooth the top. Top with as much olive oil and other toppings as you'd like. Serve with pita, veggies, grilled meats, or simply eat it by the spoonful.
