I’m here to tell you that if you’re going to make Hummus at home you MUST remove the skins. I was a doubter at first, and also very lazy. But I’ve done it folks. I’ve done it the hard way and I can tell you it’s worth the effort.
Hummus
I’ve struggled with making hummus creamy and fluffy in the past. No amount of olive oil or tahini really gave me the results I wanted. What surprised me the most with this recipe was that the chickpeas and a bit of lemon juice are all you need to get to the fluffy stage. Which is pretty great if you’re just looking for chickpea spread. For hummus though, you need tahini. Try and find the best tahini you can. I highly recommend Soom Tahini (it’s from Philly!).
Yes. This is a time consuming process. You have to use dried chickpeas and soak them for at least 12 hours. You have to boil the chickpeas with baking soda and garlic for an hour and a half. You have to remove the skins from all these chickpeas – which took me almost an hour. Once you’re at this point though you’ll be elbow deep in the best tahini you’ve ever made in 15 minutes. I’ll do the math for you – that’s almost 15 hours. Possibly the most rewarding 15 hours you’ve had in the kitchen.
After they chickpeas have boiled for at least an hour you can remove the skins. Allow them to cool then wash them a few times in clean water. Yes, this is time consuming work.
Blitz the skinless chickpeas in a food processor for a minute then slowly drizzle in lemon juice and salt.
Look how creamy with just 2 1/2 tbs. lemon juice!
Add Soom Tahini (it’s the best) then add ice water with the machine running. Let it go for a few minutes to get nice and fluffy.
Whoa!! Skinless Chickpeas, Lemon Juice, Salt, Tahini, Ice Water.
This recipe is a safe place to start. You can always add more lemon or garlic or salt. Add some good olive oil for flavor. More or less tahini or water. Do it this way once then you’ll have a good idea how to make it your own. Don’t forget you can alway customize your Hummus experience with all the toppings and accoutrements you’d like. I really like onions sliced then marinated in white wine vinegar. They only need a five minute soak to take off that oniony edge.
Let me know in the comments below if you have any favorites to serve with hummus!
Serve Hummus with your favorite toppings. I like really good olive oil, Maldon Salt, some reserved chickpeas, paprika, and sliced onions marinated in white wine vinegar.
Hummus
Ingredients
- 16 oz. Dried Chickpeas
- 6 whole cloves Garlic
- 2 tsp Baking Soda
- 2 1/2 Tbs. Lemon Juice
- 1 1/2 tsp. fine Sea Salt
- 1 Cup Soom Tahini
- 2/3 Cup Ice Water
Instructions
- Soak the chickpeas for 12 hours covered with enough water for them to triple in size.
- Drain chickpeas and transfer to a stock pot. Add baking soda and garlic and cover with water. Simmer over low heat for 1-2 hours. You shouldn't see bubbles from the simmering. Chickpeas are done when they're firm but tender.
- Drain and rinse chickpeas several times until liquid is mostly clear. Transfer to a large bowl and cover with clean water. Pinch each chickpea and reserve in a separate bowl discarding the skins. Drain and refresh water as needed. Reserve a half cup for topping.
- Add skinless chickpeas and salt to a 10 cup food processor. Process for a minute to break down most of the chickpeas. As the machine is running slowly add lemon juice. Stop to scrape down sides if needed. Stop the machine and add 1 cup tahini. Turn food processor on and slowly add ice cold water as it's spinning. Process for 5 minutes.
- Garnished with olive oil, salt, paprika, marinated onions, and reserved chickpeas. Serve with pita or flatbread and thick cut vegetables.
Hummus
I have been away for awhile and damned if this site just doesn’t keep getting better!! Surprising because it always rocked. Only you could convince me to spend 15 hours making hummus but yeah, mine is never creamy enough and I hate all the gunk in the commercial versions…guess I’m skinning my chick peas….Ommmmmmmmmm. ( cuz it’ll be a good zen experience right?)
Thanks Lynda! Always trying to do better but I’m just about to send an email about how bad I feel for not posting any recipes this past week. Skinless chickpeas for the win!!