This famous Middle Eastern dip is full of health benefits, easy to make, delicious, and versatile. Made with just a handful of ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. This thick, creamy, savory, exotic delight may just become your new “go-to” for veggies, pita chips, pretzels, bread sticks, and sandwiches, or try it thinned out with more olive oil for a very healthy swap for salad dressings.
Just a few of the health benefits Hummus has in store:
- Packed with plant-based protein
- Helps lower cholesterol when eaten in moderation
- Alleviates Anemia thanks to the high Iron content in the chickpeas
- Balances your blood sugar levels due to the presence of omega-6 fatty acids
- Full of key vitamins such as calcium, iron, folate, zinc, and B vitamins
- Tahini contains vitamin E
- Full of fiber – because, well, beans 😉
- Helps reduce inflammation – thank you sesame seeds (tahini)
Ingredients
- 1 (15oz) can of chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans)
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1/2 to 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp The Olive Junction olive oil: Arbequina – COOC Certified or Koroneiki Extra Virgin Olive oil or for more flavor, Harvest Garlic, Basil, or Meyer Lemon
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 clove of garlic (or more – your preference)
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- dash of ground paprika, red pepper flakes, parsley, toasted sesame seeds
- additional olive oil for serving
Directions
- In either a food processor or blender, combine the tahini and lemon juice. Process for 1 minute, scrape down the sides, turn on again, and process for 30 seconds – 1 minute longer (this will help make the hummus become extra creamy)
- Add in your 2 tbsps of oil of your choosing, garlic, cumin, and salt
- Process for 30 seconds, turn off, scrape down sides, turn on again, and process for up to 1 minute
- Drain and rinse chickpeas under water well with a strainer
- Add 1/2 of the chickpeas and process for 1 minute, scrape down sides and bottom if possible
- Add remaining chickpeas and process for 2 minutes or longer until thick and smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed
- Hummus will be pretty thick at this point, add 1 tbsp of water at a time until desired consistency is reached
- Place Hummus onto a plate or serving dish, finish off with a drizzle of oil and a sprinkling of your herb or choice
- Serve with warmed pita chips, fresh veggies, and pretzels, or use in a sandwich as a spread
