You can make this with either canned or home cooked chickpeas. If you’re using canned, I recommend using organic beans. Drain the liquid from one of the cans, but leave the other undrained and use its liquid instead of the water. If you’re using home cooked chickpeas, you may need less water so start with barely 3/4 cup and add more if the hummus is too thick.
215-ounce canschickpeas(See notes below for home-cooked chickpeas)
2-4clovesgarlicpeeled
2tablespoonstahini(or 4 tablespoons sesame seeds)
2-4tablespoonsfresh lemon juice
1/4-1teaspooncumin
1/4teaspoonsmoked paprika
1/8-1/2teaspoonchipotle chili powder or cayenne pepper
Salt to taste
Instructions
Drain one of the cans of chickpeas. Dump both cans (including liquid from one) into the blender. Place all remaining ingredients except salt in the blender in the order listed, using the smaller amounts. Start the machine on low and increase speed to high. Use the Vitamix plunger to break up air pockets and push chickpeas toward the blades, if necessary. (Other blenders: Stop and use a spatula to do this.) If the mixture is too thick, add water a tablespoon at a time. Turn up to the highest speed and blend for a few seconds until hummus is completely smooth.
Stop blender and taste the hummus. Add additional seasonings and salt to taste and blend briefly to combine.
Store hummus in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It’s best after it’s had a chance to rest for at least an hour, but use within a week.
Notes
If using home-cooked chickpeas, use 3 cups chickpeas and 3/4 cup chickpea broth or water.
Variations
I often remove half of the hummus to serve as-is and get creative with the other half. Try adding any one of the following during the last brief blending: roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, chipotle chile peppers, green onions, caramelized onions, roasted garlic, jalapeno peppers, black or green olives, balsamic vinegar, spinach, smoked salt or Liquid Smoke.1/8 of the recipe counts as 1 Smart Point on Weight Watchers Freestyle program.