Home Culture Israeli Food: Hummus


Israeli Food: Hummus

by Touchpoint Israel

An all-time favorite, hummus is an excellent snack selection that has recently made a big hit in the United States. Originally cultivated in the Middle East, hummus has had many variations and ethnic spins. This Israeli dish has an addition of chickpeas,  a prominent food in the Middle East that helps fight bad cholesterol, bone deterioration, high blood pressure, and even cancer! This recipe makes a total of 6 servings.

Overall, this snack is both wholesome and delicious!

  • 1 1/4 cups dried chickpeas
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 6 1/2 cups water
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons tahini (light roast)
  • 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 4 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 6 1/2 tablespoons ice cold water
  • Salt, to taste
  • Good quality olive oil, to serve (optional)
  1. The night before, put the chickpeas in a large bowl and cover them with cold water at least twice their volume. Soak overnight.
  2. After soaking all night, drain the chickpeas and place a medium saucepan over high heat. Add the drained chickpeas with baking soda in the saucepan. Cook for about three minutes, stirring constantly.
  3. Add the water and bring to a boil. Cook, skimming off any foam and any skins that float to the surface. The chickpeas will need to cook for 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the type and freshness, sometimes even longer. Once done, they should be very tender, breaking up easily when pressed between your thumb and finger, almost but not quite mushy.
  4. Drain the chickpeas. You should have roughly 3 2/3 cups now. Place the chickpeas in a food processor and process until you get a stiff paste. Then, with the machine sill running, add the tahini paste, lemon juice, garlic, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Finally, slowly drizzle in the ice water and allow it to mix for about five minutes, until you get a very smooth and creamy paste.
  5. Transfer the hummus to a bowl, cover the surface with plastic wrap, and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. If not using straightaway, refrigerate until needed. Make sure to take it out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before serving. Optionally, to serve, top with a layer of good quality olive oil. This hummus will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days.

The original recipe can be found at: food52.com

Comments

You may also like

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More