It has only been in the last 4 or 5 months that I started liking hummus. When we moved to California, our friends immediately introduced us to a local Middle Eastern hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Their hummus, served with fresh pita bread, is responsible for my conversion.
For Judah's birthday party, I decided to try my hand at making my own hummus. After searching for recipes, it seemed like an easy feat, yet I was nervous about the outcome and serving it to guests for the first time. My nerves were completely settled when a few of the party guests exclaimed how good it was and immediately asked for the recipe. One lady was excited when I told her I would send some home with her after she shared with me how much she liked it. (Although, I completely forgot to package some up for her when she left!)
A few things about this recipe. You may not be familiar with the ingredient, tahini, which is a paste made from ground sesame seeds. It is a common ingredient in popular Middle Eastern dishes. I have found it in the peanut butter section at my grocery store. If tahini is unavailable at your store, you can substitute with natural peanut butter. Although the two are not interchangeable in flavor, it surprisingly works for the hummus.
I went ahead and used natural peanut butter because it was much cheaper than the tahini. For either the tahini or the peanut butter, you will find that the oil separates from the paste, so you will need to carefully stir it first. Tips for stirring include using a thin utensil such as a knife or end of a wooden spoon, turning the (tahini) can upside down and opening from the bottom, or dumping it all at once into your food processor to mix. It can be messy, but one of these tricks might help.
Another tip for this recipe is regarding the chick peas. You may not know that chick peas are also called garbanzo beans. I didn't know this until my recent holiday trip to Maryland where my mother in law picked up the ingredients for me to make some hummus. When I was looking in her pantry for the chick peas, I only found garbanzo beans and noticed the picture on the can looked the same. I quickly learned that they ARE the same! My discovery made this already cheap dip even cheaper for me because the cans labeled "chick peas" at my store are almost $1.00 more than the cans labeled "garbanzo beans!" Joy!, joy!, joy! now that I can buy the cheaper option! 🙂
I'm excited to try different variations of hummus down the road. I've already got my eye on Roasted Red Pepper and Roasted Garlic flavors. Are there favorites you'd like to share?
Recipe Card
Homemade Hummus
Ingredients
- 1 (14 oz.) can chick peas (or garbanzo beans)
- ⅓ cup tahini or natural peanut butter , stirred well
- 2 ½ Tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil , plus more for drizzling
- 3 cloves garlic , peeled
- ½ teaspoon salt
- pinch of cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Drain and rinse the chick peas, reserving ⅓ cup of the liquid. Place all ingredients, minus the chick peas, but including the reserved liquid, in a food processor fitted with the blade. Process until the garlic is well chopped and blended. Add the chick peas and blend until smooth and at desired consistency. Add more salt and cayenne pepper to taste. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend before serving. Drizzle with olive oil and serve with pita bread or vegetables. Store in the refrigerate.
- Source: Adapted from One Particular Kitchen
Sue Gladd says
Nikki,
I have been using white beans instead of chick peas; the texture becomes more smooth and less dense. With still all the yummy-ness of the great flavors!
Rachel C says
What would you recommend using instead of peanut butter? This looks great and so easy to make, but there are peanut allergies in my family to worry about.
Nikki says
Hi Rachel,
As stated in the recipe and body of the post, you can use tahini. Tahini is actually the traditional ingredient used in hummus and the peanut butter is a substitute.
Clayton Chick says
Made this for my superbowl party. I thought it was yummy, but too much garlic. Probably my fault, the cloves were pretty big. I liked the peanut butter,but some guests didn't like it. I will try the tahini next time even though it is sooo expensive! This was so easy, I think I will make it for everyday snacks around the house.
Erik says
I love hummus too, and have made my own a number of times. I'm just curious though, I've never really cared for the taste of the lemon juice in hummus - have you tried it without? Do you know if it's just there for the flavor or if there is there something else it lends to the overall recipe? I'm new to your site and enjoying what I'm seeing. Just curious, what church or denomnination is your husband a pastor for?
Pennies on a Platter says
Hi Erik,
I haven't made it without the lemon because I like the flavor, but you can just leave it out. You might want to add a little more oil or broth from the chickpeas, but really you don't even have to do that. Hummus can be tweaked according to your own tastes very easily. To answer your second question, my husband is an associate pastor at a reformed church here in Apple Valley.
Thanks for visiting!
-Nikki
innasinventions says
Yum! I love hummus...it's the perfect healthy snack! Can't wait to try this!
Raquel says
I abhor the cost of tahini, although a little goes a long way. I'm not sure about using peanut butter as a substitute, but you can make your own tahini by putting toasted sesame seeds into a food processor or grinder and processing it until a paste forms. It doesn't hurt to use a little olive oil to get the consistency that you want. Use what you need and freeze the rest.
Garbanzos can also be purchased dried for much cheaper than canned. Soak overnight and cook before using.
Melissa says
We like hummus quite a bit. This recipe would help us time into our goal of more homemade/less store bought. Thanks again! :o)
natalie (the sweets life) says
I love homemade hummus! I've even made it without tahini and it still turns out great!
tryityoumightlikeit says
Aha... I always knew garbanzo beans were the same thing as chick peas but since I don't like them I never knew they were cheaper. My mom loved them and I would avoid them at all costs as a kid.
Maybe I'll try them this way and like them now.
Stephanie says
Great idea to sub with peanut butter! I am definitely going to try this!
Cookbook Queen says
This looks great, girl!!
I've had hummus a few times. Where I live in Arkansas, people don't eat it too often...more like bean dip or cheese dip!! I like hummus alot though, and plan on making my own sooner or later!!
Liz @ Blog is the New Black says
Looks wonderful- this is somethingI have yet to try.