Hummus is an extremely addictive snack. Once you get accustomed to it, you will surely have cravings frequently. The combination of tahini, garlic, and lemon juice makes it a festive feast! According to historians, the earliest version of hummus was made in Egypt in the 13th century. In some cultures, hummus is used as an aphrodisiac. To me, it just tastes great and I always pair it up with pita bread.

The good news is that hummus is a superfood! What that means is that you can gain tremendous health benefits simply by consuming it regularly. I am not going to discuss the mind-blowing nutrition advantages of chickpeas (the main ingredient) today as we elaborated them in another article: authentic chickpea meal recipe. Be ready to be surprised how this tasty legume can be your best friend when it comes to maintaining and improving your health in the long run.

Some people consider hummus as a snack. However, it is consumed on a daily basis in the Middle East. And if you do so, then you are less likely to be obese. It is even better for you than peanut butter. Especially, if you are looking for alternative plant protein solutions to improve and maintain bone health. It is full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Also note that hummus is good for your skin, nails, and hair.

Ok, enough with all the healthy living stuff! Let’s get into the hummus recipe and discover why millions of people enjoy this palatable spread.

What you will need:

It is a must to use a quality food processor or a stick blender to create a smooth hummus mixture. Keep in mind that we need to blend this mixture for a long period of time. The spread should be extremely smooth if you want to enjoy the original version. Note that the authentic hummus served in restaurants is as silky as melted butter. And, the only way to accomplish that level of smoothness is by using a food processor like the Hamilton Beach’s S-blade best-seller. It is truly innovative and sells like bread and butter for a good reason.

Notice that this smart item comes with a bowl scraper that cleans the sides of the bowl. So, you do not have to use a spatula each time. Everything comes out automatically clean. All parts are dishwasher safe. The company focused on usability and keep this item simple. Therefore, there are only two speed options plus pulse, which you have to choose from when operating. You can also use this food processor for chopping, slicing, and shredding. It sure saves time in the kitchen.

Quick and Tasty Hummus Recipe

In short, hummus is made by mashing boiled chickpeas and then mixing them uniformly with crushed garlic, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and tahini. The trick is to blend the mixture for at least five minutes in the food processor to attain a smooth texture. We use a simple method to prevent overheating the mixture in the process. Instead of adding room temperature water in the blender, we use ice cubes in the same amount. This technique allows the hummus to keep cool.

What is traditionally eaten with hummus?

Hummus is traditionally served with fresh pita bread. It is the best way to dip in the tasty spread. Also, olive oil is drizzled over the hummus plate. Most people serve shepherd salad on the side as well, which is prepared by mixing diced cucumbers, red onions, parsley, tomatoes, and seasoned with equal amounts of extra virgin olive oil and quality apple vinegar.

Why does hummus taste bitter?

When making hummus, less is more. You should be really careful to balance out the ingredients appropriately. Adding too much tahini, lemon juice, or garlic can make your hummus bitter instantly. Keep in mind that we need to blend the chickpeas for about 4-5 minutes to create a smooth texture when making hummus. If you add in olive oil too early, this can also make the hummus dip bitter. The reason for that is because the olive oil can react to the blades of the blender and change flavor slightly. So, make sure to add the olive oil in the last minute of blending to keep things smooth and tasty.

How can I make hummus more interesting?

Flavoring up hummus is easy thanks to its versatility and adaptability. If you want to make hummus more interesting, you can try adding 2 tablespoons of pureed beets to improve both the nutrition and the flavor. Plus, your beet enhanced hummus will take on a reddish color and eventually have a distinctive appearance. You can mix in various colorful vegetables to distinguish your hummus recipe. To further jazz it up, try adding one piece of mashed avocado to one-pound (454 g) of mashed chickpeas. Blend them well, and your hummus will now take on a lighter green color with unique creamy flavor.