You've seen them. At the grocery store , all those stacks and stacks of plastic tubs with different colours , and flavours gleaming at you from near the deli isle :) I used to stop there every week, and drop $5 on a small tub of Hummus... usually it was a roasted garlic , or red pepper. That was before I started making my own. My first attempt was almost identical to this posts version, Which I must say I enjoyed immensely. So I thought Id try to recreate how it all happened for me and share.The best part is that after my second batch turned out as well as the first I swore myself off the store bought, and now enjoy a healthier, tastier and cheaper hummus made by me, with my tastes in mind. Plus I get to control all the ingredients, which can be as few as three. I do try not to add more than eight or ten , as you tend to start losing some flavours.
Okay, enough babbling. Time to show you how easy this is.
The most cost effective way to make this is to buy a bag of dried chick peas ( also called garbonzo beans ) , If you can find organic ones, grab them. Besides the lack of chemicals, I find them to have a better texture. .
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Pour them into a bowl, and pick out any green or black ones. They always mention to look for stones too, but I have yet to find one.
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The dried peas do require an overnight soak. If you don't have the time or the patience for this step , buy some good quality canned ones and skip the next two steps :) If your in Canada the PC Organic Chick Peas are really good for canned ones
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| Dried chick peas NEED to soak overnight . Make sure the are well covered in water and simply soak for 24 hours. I think the alternative is to boil them for 4 hours, but I have not tried this. |
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| Once they have soaked, or if you are using canned ones instead. You will need to give them a good rinse, and have a double check for any funny coloured ones. Notice one on the right that slipped thru the initial inspection. |
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| Next up, add them to a large pot of boiling lightly salted water. You will want lots of water, about 4 cups for every cup of peas. The packages always say to boil for 45 minutes, which is fine for using the chick peas in dishes, for hummus I like to add more water at the 45 minute mark and boil for a further 30 minutes. |
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| If, like me and using the whole bag. You will have way more garbonzos than you know what to do with. Give them all one more good rinse. Then I like to freeze the extra in 3 cup portions. That way the next hummus you make will eliminate all the above steps. |
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| Now the fun begins, assemble all your flavours. I'm using organic garlic, black sesame seeds ( for garnish ), Tahini Paste, L&P, Sea Salt, Black Pepper , Olive Oil, Of course chick peas ( I used 3 1/2 cups of boiled ones. ) and as in my first attempt a jar of fire roasted peppers these were water packed ones. |
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| Chuck everything into a food pro. I only chop the garlic, the rest is whole. I used 2/3rds of the jar of peppers, you can use more or less. But I have a plan for the remaining 1/3. (Future Post Hopefully) plus I added a shake of my chili powder and a few pinches of basil at the last moment. |
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| I usually start it up on slow speed with a few good glugs of olive oil.. once it gets going I increase the speed and add oil until you like the consistency. |
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| Don't forget to stop and have a good look and taste, It may seem like your adding a lot of salt, but your making 4 cups of hummus .. that is quite a lot. ( 4 grocery store tubs worth! ) |
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| Once you've reached the consistency you're looking for. ( I don't like it lumpy , but do stop before it gets creamy ) Pour it, with the help of a spatula into a resealable container. I also like to sprinkle something on top. This time its black sesame seeds and coarse sea salt. |
That's it, you now have 4 cups of an amazing roasted red pepper and garlic hummus :) About 4 times what you'd get in a prepackaged one at the store , all for about the same price as one 1 tub. PLUS you should have at least a few packages in the freezer. Now all that's left to do is grab yourself some homemade bread and veggie sticks and you've got a great lunch , or even a light dinner. Or like tonight, a great late night snack.
Happy Cooking!
Enjoy :)
Rich
