Heavenly Hummus

Alskann's Note:

I love hummus and this recipe is one of the best I've tried. I like to spread it on pita triangles and top with cucumber, chopped kalamata olives, and feta. I think the homemade tahini paste makes it much better.

• Total Time: 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8-10

Yield: 3.0 cups

• 2 cups canned chick-peas, liquid reserved (garbanzo beans)
• 5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 3 garlic cloves
• salt and pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

tahini paste (use 2/3 cup)

• 4 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup tepid water

Directions:

1. In a food processor, puree the chickpees, tahini, 3 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice and garlic until smooth, adding a little of the reserved liquid if the mixture seems too thick; It will be slightly grainy.
2. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Transfer to a shallow bowl or plate.
4. Combine the paprika and the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, drizzle the mixture over the top, and garnish with chipped parsley, if desired.
5. Serve with pita bread triangles (I like "Kittencal's Garlic Baked Pita Chips" with parmesan cheese), cucumbers, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped kalamata olives. Chopped sun-dried tomatoes are a good addition also.
6. *HOMEMADE TAHINI PASTE:.
7. 4 tablespoons sesame seeds.
8. 1 teaspoon sesame oil.
9. 1/2 teaspoon salt.
10. 1/2 cup tepid water.
11. Blend sesame seeds in a blender and grind until smooth.
12. Add sesame oil, salt, and then slowly add 1/4 cup of water while blending.
13. Blend until completely smooth.
14. Makes 1 cup tahini paste.

Reviews

[The Wallaces]

I was really excited to try this recipe because I love hummus and there have been so many great reviews. I hate to be the lone dissenter, but this did not work for us at all. First, the tahini paste turned out way too liquidy....possibly because the ingredients state 1/2 cup of water while the instructions say 1/4 cup? I salvaged it by taking the excess water off the top of the paste and made the rest of the recipe as stated. The hummus was very soupy, not the texture I am used to, and this was after only adding 3 tbsp of olive oil. Also, the lemon and tahini flavors were way too overpowering for us.

[*Nataly*]

I used lime juice instead of lemon, as we like it better, and this is delicious hummus that was much enjoyed!

[Andrea in NH]

I love the tahini paste in this recipe. The store bought stuff come in such a big container, it goes bad before I can use it up. I used all of the tahini paste with a 15 1/2 oz can of chick peas. I also added a couple of roasted red peppers. Thanks for bring back hummus to me.