Why are you still buying tubs of hummus? Quick Garlic Hummus Recipe

The other day, I was shopping for hummus and cringed as I saw $5 mini-tubs. The average cost of dried chickpeas is a mere .50 per cup. One cup of dried chickpeas makes about 2-1/2 cups of cooked chickpeas, which makes a LOT of hummus!

I headed to the bulk food section in the store and loaded up on dried chickpeas and also grabbed a can of tahini (sesame paste), as it’s also a must for whipping up a quick batch of fresh hummus.

Unlike other beans or legumes, chickpeas hydrate at a faster rate. Although it is still best to soak them overnight, don’t stress out if you forget. Even four to five hours of soaking will prep the peas for cooking.

Easy Garlic Hummus Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon salt or herb salt if you have it
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup water (or more as needed)

Instructions:

1. Combine chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, cumin, and pepper in a food processor.
2. Process until smooth, adding water as needed to thin the hummus to your desired consistency.
3. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. I like to drizzle a little high-quality olive oil on top.
4. Serve with pita bread, vegetables, or crackers.

You can also make this recipe a day in advance and the garlic flavors will develop even more!

Here are some tips for making hummus:

• Use high-quality chickpeas. The better the quality of the chickpeas, the better the hummus will taste.
• Soak the chickpeas overnight before cooking. This will help them cook more evenly and give the hummus a smoother texture.
• Don’t over-process the hummus. If you process it too much, it will become too smooth and will lose its flavor.
• Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Hummus can be made to your own taste by adding more or less lemon juice, garlic, salt, cumin, or pepper.
• Serve hummus with pita bread, vegetables, or crackers. Hummus is a versatile dip that can be enjoyed on its own or with a variety of accompaniments.