Baking Hermann
Recipes

Easy & Creamy Hummus

Hummus is one of my favourite spreads to make from scratch. It’s not only incredibly delicious, it’s also a rich source of protein and healthy fats thanks to the chickpeas and tahini.

Store-bought hummus simply never lives up to the homemade version and is often made with vegetable or sunflower oils, whereas this recipe contains no added oil in the hummus at all. The creaminess comes entirely from the slow-cooked chickpeas, the richness of the tahini and the addition of ice cubes, which help to crush down the legumes while aerating the hummus.

Nutritional Benefits of Hummus

Chickpeas are an excellent source of protein and fibre, while tahini is high in healthy fats and minerals like iron and calcium, and garlic has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. Together, these ingredients make hummus not only a tasty snack, but also a nutrient-dense addition to any diet.

Dried vs. Tinned Chickpeas

I’d always recommend using dried chickpeas. Just remember to soak them the evening before. There are several environmental benefits to using dried chickpeas over tinned chickpeas. Firstly, the production of tinned chickpeas requires a significant amount of energy and resources, from the cultivation of the chickpeas to the processing, packaging, and transportation. This results in a larger carbon footprint compared to dried chickpeas, which require less processing and packaging.

Soil Health & Chickpeas

Chickpeas are also an excellent booster for soil health and I’d also urge you to see if any local producers are growing them. In the UK, for instance, the brilliant Hodmedod’s offers British-grown chickpeas, which means every time you eat chickpeas, you cut down your carbon footprint and directly support nature close to you. Benefits of growing chickpeas include:

Nitrogen fixation: Chickpeas are legumes that can fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil through symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This process increases soil fertility and reduces the need for synthetic fertilisers, which can harm soil health in the long run.

Soil structure improvement: Chickpea roots have a taproot system that can penetrate deep into the soil, improving soil structure and increasing water infiltration. This can prevent soil erosion and improve overall soil health.

Organic matter addition: Chickpea plants produce large amounts of organic matter, which can improve soil structure, increase water holding capacity, and provide essential nutrients to soil organisms.

Pest control: Chickpeas contain natural compounds that can repel pests, such as nematodes and soil-borne diseases, reducing the need for synthetic pesticides that can harm soil health.

Ingredients

Hummus

  • 100g dried chickpeas

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • 150g tahini

  • 4 tbsp (70 ml) lemon juice

  • 2 garlic cloves

  • 50g ice cubes

Harissa Topping

  • 1 tsp harissa

  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

  • 10g coriander

Method

Soak the chickpeas in plenty of water overnight or for at least 8 hours.

The next day, drain the chickpeas. Add them to a saucepan along with the baking soda and enough water to generously cover them. Bring to a boil, then simmer, skimming off any froth, for around 45 minutes or until completely tender. You should be able to turn them into a paste between your fingers without any resistance.

Drain the chickpeas, then tip them into the jug of a food processor along with the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, ice cubes and 2/3 tsp salt. Blend until smooth. If all of the ice is incorporated and the hummus feels too thick, add a little cold water (I don’t use the soaking water to have less of the baking soda in the final hummus). The hummus firms up in the fridge, so after blending it should feel just a little bit too creamy.

For the topping, simply heat the harissa and olive oil in a small pan until it sizzles and the oil has turned into a ruby red. Turn off the heat. Roughly chop the coriander, then pour the harissa oil over the hummus followed by the coriander.

Storage: Refrigerate and keep for 3-4 days.

Creamy Hummus

Hummus is one of my favourite spreads to make from scratch. It’s not only incredibly delicious, it’s also a rich source of protein and healthy fats thanks to the chickpeas and tahini. Store-bought hummus simply never lives up to the homemade version and is often made with vegetable or sunflower oils, whereas this recipe contains no added oil in the hummus at all.
5 from 1 vote
Total Time 1 hour
Course Staples
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

Hummus

  • 100 g dried chickpeas
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 150 g tahini
  • 4 tbsp 70 ml lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 50 g ice cubes

Harissa Topping

  • 1 tsp harissa
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 10 g coriander

Instructions
 

  • Soak the chickpeas in plenty of water overnight or for at least 8 hours.
  • The next day, drain the chickpeas. Add them to a saucepan along with the baking soda and enough water to generously cover them. Bring to a boil, then simmer, skimming off any froth, for around 45 minutes or until completely tender. You should be able to turn them into a paste between your fingers without any resistance.
  • Drain the chickpeas, then tip them into the jug of a food processor along with the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, ice cubes and 2/3 tsp salt. Blend until smooth. If all of the ice is incorporated and the hummus feels too thick, add a little cold water (I don’t use the soaking water to have less of the baking soda in the final hummus). The hummus firms up in the fridge, so after blending it should feel just a little bit too creamy.
  • For the topping, simply heat the harissa and olive oil in a small pan until it sizzles and the oil has turned into a ruby red. Turn off the heat. Roughly chop the coriander, then pour the harissa oil over the hummus followed by the coriander.
Tried this recipe?Add a comment below.

 

Latest Recipes

4 Comments

  1. Theresa

    5 stars
    I made this today. My son and I enjoyed it very much; it was the best tasting hummus we have ever eaten. I will never by store bought again

    Reply
    • Julius Fiedler

      That’s wonderful to hear, thanks for giving it a go!

      Reply
  2. Unklro

    Finally I have achieved “hummus independence”. Even following the recipe approximately, it worked.

    Reply
    • Julius Fiedler

      Amazing! Store-bought hummus will never compare now haha!

      Reply
5 from 1 vote

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Recent Recipes

Gelo di Mandarino (Italian Mandarin Jelly)

Gelo di Mandarino (Italian Mandarin Jelly)

What is Gelo di Mandarino? Gelo di Mandarino is a refreshing Italian mandarin jelly straight from the heart of Sicily. This traditionally vegan dessert transforms fresh, juicy mandarins into a smooth, jellied treat that’s perfect for any occasion. The sweet-tart burst...

Liang Pi (Chinese Spicy Cold Skin Noodles)

Liang Pi (Chinese Spicy Cold Skin Noodles)

What is Liang Pi? Liang Pi, commonly known as "cold skin noodles," is a refreshing and spicy dish that comes from Shaanxi, China. This traditionally vegan staple is loved for its unique blend of light, slippery noodles tossed in a bold, tangy sauce with springy wheat...

How to Make Liang Pi (Chinese Wheat Starch Noodles)

How to Make Liang Pi (Chinese Wheat Starch Noodles)

What is Liang Pi? Liang Pi, often called Chinese cold skin noodles, is a popular noodle variety from the Shaanxi province of China. These light and springy noodles are made from wheat starch that is typically leftover after making a batch of Chinese Wheat Gluten,...

Lolli con Fave (Pasta with Fava Beans)

Lolli con Fave (Pasta with Fava Beans)

What is Lolli con Fave? Lolli con Fave is a traditional recipe from Modica, Sicily. It champions the local Fava Cottoia di Modica beans (broad beans), which are protected under the Slow Food presidium. This specific fava bean variety can be difficult to find outside...

Easy Homemade Pita Recipe (Step-by-Step)

Easy Homemade Pita Recipe (Step-by-Step)

When it comes to pita, many know them stuffed with falafel, tahini sauce and chopped salad. It's a common street food in many parts of the Middle East, but the most popular version is often found in Israel, where the pitas are even fluffier to give you a large, soft...