An authentic, easy Middle Eastern Hummus / Hommus recipe that’s a hit everytime.
If you’ve ever had Hummus, I don’t need to tell you how good it it is, but if this traditional Middle Eastern dip is new to you, expect something creamy, savory, cool and fresh. The trouble I find with most store-bought hummus is that they never get the balance of ingredients quite right, or they add extra spices that just aren’t necessary for classic hummus. I’ve been making this recipe for hummus for more than a decade now, and it never fails to please at parties, as an afternoon snack, or as the perfect part of a meal on those summer days when it’s just too hot to cook.
All you need to do is blend these ingredients in a blender, and then spoon the dip into a dip cooler to keep it chilly. Hummus will stay good in the fridge for 4-5 days.
Best Hummus Recipe
Put in a blender:
1 can Garbanzo Beans (chick peas)
3 T. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 peeled clove Garlic
2 T. Tahini
Juice of 1 lemon
1 t. salt
Pour in water until it rises to the level of the top of the beans.
Blend, blend, blend until creamy smooth. Spoon out into a dip cooler Ready to serve, or to be put in the fridge.
Ingredients that might be new to you in this hummus recipe.
If you’ve never used Tahini before, you’re in for such a treat. Tahini is made purely of sesame seeds. They are ground up into a paste, just like peanut butter. We prefer roasted, no salt added Tahini, but it also comes raw, or with salt added. Tahini is an incredibly rich, flavorful food. Sesame seeds are one of the most calcium-rich foods in the world. If you like that toasty taste you get when you eat a seeded bun, you’ll love Tahini. Some folks eat Tahini plain, spread on bagels or toast. In this recipe for hummus, it is an essential ingredient for the velvety taste of this versatile dip.
How to serve hummus
As a dip for chips, carrots, celery and other crudite, it’s hard to beat hummus. Not only is it easy to make and delicious, it is a much healthier option than sour cream-based dips. Hummus has no bad fats in it – remember, olive oil is GOOD for you! In fact, with the garlic, olive oil and the calcium-rich tahini, eating a little hummus every day could actually improve your health and your immune system! It’ll give you that creamy zing you crave with tortilla chips or potato chips.
Toasted pita bread strips also make a super, and traditional, accompaniment to hummus. Or, open up a pita pocket, spread hummus inside and add your favorite sandwich fillings for a fabulous sandwich on the go. In distant lands, hummus has been a staple for centuries, served with Tabouleh (which is a salad made of bulgar wheat, parsley, tomatoes, onions and lemon), and Falafel (a fried patty made of garbanzo beans and spices). Hummus is also a scrumptious topping for a super burrito, taco or tostada. And, again, it’s going to be a much healthier alternative to sour cream or cheese.
Because hummus contains no dairy products, your vegetarian friends won’t feel left out when you serve it at parties. And, little ones love hummus, too. If you’ve got a picky eater in the family, set out a tray of chips, veggies, and crackers along side a serving of hummus, and watch it disappear. The toddlers in our family love to dip just about anything crunchy into anything creamy and hummus makes an ideal food for little ones.
If you thin hummus out with more water and lemon juice, it makes a creamy salad dressing. Hummus travels well enough to go on a picnic with you and it’s elegant enough to be a dish at a wedding banquet. If unexpected guests show up for a visit – hummus to the rescue! In five minutes, you can whip up this snack and please a crowd.
May we present some serving ideas?
Our cracker basket makes fiddly little crackers so easy to serve. The 2″ x 8″ x 1/2″ dimensions fit plenty of crackers, which make an ideal accompaniment to hummus.
If you’re planning to serve a fresh vegetable platter, our frilly serving tray will present your crudite in style.
And, when you shop with Emerson Creek Pottery, you know your servingware is not only handmade in the classic American pottery tradition, but is also microwave and dishwasher safe and lead free.
Try our hummus recipe out this week, and let us know how you like it. Share your serving suggestions with us here!