Hummus (bi tahini)
This dip is originally Arabic, and is made from cooked, mashed chickpeas, blended with tahini (sesame paste), olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. It is a popular food throughout the Middle East and elsewhere.I’m an absolute die-hard fan of hummus, and aside from having it with bbq/grilled meaty dishes for the most part, sometimes I enjoy having it just as it is with some toasted pita bread! Really satisfying and very very delicious.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chickpeas boiled or drained from the can
- 1 1/2 tbsp tahini paste
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- salt to taste
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- 1/4 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic paste
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup water or as needed
- 2 tbsp olive oil plus more for serving
- yoghurt/sour milk/buttermilk optional
Instructions
- Tahini Paste is normally sold, but I prefer making mine at home as it is fairly easy to do, and tastes better than the bought preserved ones. You can then store any leftover in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks, or freeze for slightly longer.All you need to do is roast about a quarter cup of sesame seeds, take them out when they just start releasing a bit of oil but before they turn brown. (about 5-10 mins at 180 C but toss them a little bit midway through the roasting) Then let them cool for some minutes and then put them in your processor and grind them with a bit of olive oil until you achieve a smooth paste.Now put the boiled chickpeas in your grinder/processor (reserve a few for garnishing purposes), then add lemon juice, tahini paste, olive oil, garlic paste, chilli powder, cumin powder, salt to taste and half of the water. Grind everything together until it becomes a smooth paste, adding water gradually until you have a smooth paste consistency. You can add sour milk or buttermilk or yoghurt in this if you want your hummus creamier! Taste and adjust flavours to suit your taste buds, some people prefer more tahini, or more lemon, or more garlic or chilli. Have at it! Add whatever you feel you like. To serve, pour the hummus in a plate (a real Arab never puts hummus in a bowl) then use the back of a spoon to form indents on the surface. Drizzle some olive oil into the dips/indents to form little pools of olive oil on the surface. Garnish with the reserved chickpeas and you can sprinkle a bit of paprika powder on top if you want.Enjoy with your toasted pita bread!
Notes
If you want a smooth hummus, remove all the peels from the chickpeas before grinding. It’s tedious but it gives a smoother result.
This recipe is too good.. The one I made was as good as the one I ate at an Arab restaurant. Thanks for the recipe.
what is tahini paste? from where can i get it?
Ready made tahini is available at supermarkets. I have included a recipe for it here in this recipe, please check.
can i add some water when making tahini paste
You can a tiny bit of hot water if needed, but if you plan on storing it for long then that could make it go off faster. Best to use oil.
it’s a very detail and good recipe. i’m looking this recipe from very long time thanx
Dear Fauzia, I am allergic to sesame and therefore can’t eat ready-made hummous. Is there any substitute for tahini which I could use at home? Could I simply leave it out the recipe?
You can simply leave out the tahini. 🙂
Salaams sister, how much of
Salaams sister, how much of yoghurt to add?
W/Salaam, just enough to make
W/Salaam, just enough to make the consistency creamy. Up to your preference.
Assalam-o-Alikum Fauzia.. I
Assalam-o-Alikum Fauzia.. I want to know that can we save it by freezing..
W/Salaam, yes you can freeze
W/Salaam, yes you can freeze this.
Assalamualaikum. Do you have
Assalamualaikum. Do you have a recipe for baba ghsnoush? Thanks and jazakAllah khair
W/Salaam, yes I do and shall
W/Salaam, yes I do and shall be posting it soon inshaAllah. 🙂
Asalaam Alaikum Fauzia , pls
Asalaam Alaikum Fauzia , pls help me .. I have added a little more water in the above recipe causing it be more runny and liquid , kindly suggest if anything can be done … I am waiting for ur reply ,Leena
Add some more chickpeas and
Add some more chickpeas and blend, or if you’ve run out then mix in a boiled and mashed potato.
Aoa, can we use another oil (
Aoa, can we use another oil ( vegetable oil ) instead of olive oil??? Kindly i am waiting for your reply
Normally hummus tastes a lot
Normally hummus tastes a lot better using olive oil. Vegetable oil will not taste as authentic in flavour.