Slightly Garlicky, Blissfully Satisfying Hummus

Learn To Make Hummus and Find Vegetarian Nirvana: Vegan Recipe

To make hummus, a blender or a blender stick is handy but you could also use a food processor, food mill, potato masher, or something to pulverize the beans. A blender is good because the hummus comes out very smooth, but texture is good too. A rubber spatula helps get every last bit out of the blender and the mixing bowl. I like a blender stick best because I can just put everything together at once in the hummus storage container and whiz away - and it's fast. The blender stick I use is made by Braun - it's powerful enough to make hummus without breaking.

I cook my own beans, making enough to freeze for other culinary adventures. Cookng instructions are included, but canned beans will do - drain and rinse, and substitute water for the liquid. If you want to double the recipe, make a second batch, otherwise you may work your blender to death! Hummus keeps, tightly sealed, in the fridge for a week - not that it usually lasts that long!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups cooked and drained garbanzo beans (instructions below)
• 3 - 6 Tblsp bean cooking liquid or water - how much liquid you need depends on the amount of moisture in the beans. Canned beans tend to be very moist, beans you cook yourself are less so.
• 3 Tblsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 3 Tblsp olive oil
• 1 -2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tiny pinch cayenne
• 1/4 c. unroasted sesame tahini

Directions:

1. Rinse and drain the beans in a wire colander
2. Put the beans, salt & pepper, cayenne and 3 Tblsp bean liquid or water on the blender
3. Heat the chopped garlic in the olive oil until lightly roasted
4. Add the cumin powder to the oil
5. Pour the hot oil & spices into the blender
6. Rinse the pan with the lemon juice and pour it in the blender the lemon juice into the hot oil
7. Put everything except the tahini* in the blender
8. Using a low setting, alternately pulse and poke until smoothly blended
9. Add a little extra liquid, 1 Tblsp at a time, if the mixture is too thick to pulse or blend easily
10. Using a rubber spatula, scrape the mixture into a bowl, and thoroughly mix in the tahini
11. Adjust seasonings to taste

*Don't add the tahini to the blender because it's too thick & sticky & for blending

*Garbanzo Bean Cooking Directions:

1. Note - This makes enough beans for a second batch, or to freeze, or make soup or tabouleh. Using a pressure cooker greatly reduces cooking time, but don't omit the soaking!
2. Soak 1 c. of garbanzo beans 4 - 8 hours. Use hot water & change several times to cut soaking time in half
3. Drain & rinse the soaked beans, cover with cold water to cover & bring to a boil
4. Boil ten minutes & skim the foam
5. Cover & simmer for 1 - 2 hours, until falling-apart tender