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I just returned home from an amazing trip to Europe where we took a cruise ship in the Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea and took trains through Switzerland and Germany. Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! One of our first stops was in Greece, where my only real objective was to find the most authentic Gyro and some kind of dish that included hummus. I found both, and oh my gosh, I was in heaven!
Another stop was in Germany. We flew home from Munich and only had a short time there. We were told that if we do anything with our time, we must indulge in a pint of beer and a pretzel. We were pretty tired from traveling, so we looked for something close to the hotel and happened upon the most amazing Middle Eastern restaurant that served all kinds of Hummus, so we ate there. It turned out to be an amazing find, a hummus jackpot! Not the German pub we were supposed to seek out, but I Guess we will have to save the pint and pretzel for when we go back to Germany for Octoberfest someday…add it to the bucket list!
Becoming a Natural Food Chef, I knew I would make my own hummus at some point, mostly because I love it, and I like having fresh, flavorful, healthy options in my fridge on repeat (like making my own Mayo). After this trip, I was re-energized to make it as soon as I got back. I wasn’t sure any attempt I made at recreating the authentic deliciousness I experienced in Europe would ever compare…but I was up for the challenge 😊.
Hummus is so versatile, I’m pretty certain I could eat it at least once a day! I enjoy it as a base layer of a plate of falafel and meats, a dip for my crackers or veggies, a spread on bread for a sandwich, or just plopping a dallop on top of my salad and licking the spoon! The options are really endless.
Why we love this homemade hummus:
It is so easy to make! You can make it extra creamy by whipping it a bit longer in the food processor or keep it a bit thicker just depending on how you like it. The flavor can be amplified with more lemon or garlic and by adding toppings of your choice. I love pine nuts, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, paprika, dill, or even a few extra chickpeas. Really, it can be made perfectly delicious however you doctor it up, and adding hummus to your diet provides high protein and fiber and good heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory fats.
This recipe is really good, and a close runner-up to the real deal I experienced in Europe. I hope you try it because it is delicious.
Homemade Hummus
Prep Time: 10 minutes.
6-8 Servings
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup good-quality tahini*
- 2–4 tablespoons cold water, or more if needed
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 medium cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- juice of 1 lemon (2–3 tablespoons)
- 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- optional toppings: extra drizzle of olive oil, chopped fresh parsley, sprinkle of ground sumac or paprika, toasted pine nuts
Directions
Step 1
Add tahini, cold water, olive oil, cumin, salt, garlic and lemon juice to a food processor. Puree until smooth.
Step 2
Add in the chickpeas. Puree for 3-4 minutes, pausing halfway to scrape down the sides of the bowl, until the hummus is smooth. If it seems too thick, add in another tablespoon or two of water.
Step 3
Taste and season with additional salt, cumin, and/or lemon juice if needed.
Step 4
Serve immediately, garnished with your desired toppings. Or transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
*find a tahini that tastes good in its raw state, straight from the container. The oil content in tahini is very high and can easily go rancid, so the fresher the better.
Recipe adapted from gimmesomeoven.com
More NTI-approved dips to try…
Sunflower Pâté & Simple Mint Pea Dip
Gain Confidence in the Kitchen
Gain confidence in the kitchen and learn to create nourishing and delicious recipes by becoming a Natural Food Chef! Learn more by attending a live cooking demonstration.
About the Author: Kelly Brewster is a graduate of NTI’s Certified Natural Food Chef program. She loves creating flavorful, nourishing, fortified food experiences! She takes pride in making recipes with the most nutrient-dense options for our optimal health and wellbeing! Her desire is to share her NFC knowledge to inspire others like her to enjoy a healthier, more conscientious life regarding good whole food and food sourcing. She loves that she gets to share recipes that not only continue to enhance her culinary mastery, but also provide creative delicious meals for others to enjoy.
Image by Kelly Brewster
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