I grew up in the Lebanon, the home of Hummus. (The word literally means garbanzo in Arabic). This recipe is authentic. Hummus is a power food! Garbanzo beans are high in the best type of fiber.
Studies have shown that people who consume garbanzo beans regularly have better blood fat regulation, including lower levels of LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Read about the Garbanzo Bean here.
It's best if you soak your own organic garbanzo beans. If that is not practical, or you decide to make Hummus on the spur of the moment, canned organic beans will do fine, just rinse them well.
Authentic Lebanese Hummus
To Prepare ahead: Soak 1 cup beans and 1/2 tsp baking soda in 3 cups of water, overnight. The next day rinse beans, add 5 cups of water to large pot, add beans and bring to a boil. Turn heat down to medium-low and simmer until tender (30 - 45 mins). You should have around 3 cups of beans. Cool before processing.
3 c. organic Garbanzo beans
1/4 c. of Water, plus or minus
3 cloves organic Garlic
2 tsp. Sea salt
2/3 c. Lemon juice
2/3 c. Sesame Tahini (Alwadi, Cortas and Joyva are good brands)
Place garbanzo beans and water in a food processor using metal blade.Process for 2 minutes, scraping down sides.
Crush garlic with salt in mortar and pestle until smooth. Doing it in this way ensures you get the full flavor of the garlic, and that it will be well macerated due to the grit of the salt (no little chunks in your hummus). Add lemon juice and stir to incorporate.
Pour lemon-garlic mixture onto beans and pulse 5 times just to mix it in. Now, pour Tahini sauce through feed tube and process until well blended. Add enough water to reach this consistency. It should be thick enuogh to sit atop a carrot stick. :)
Scoop hummus into a shallow bowl or platter using a spatula. Smooth the surface making a raised edge at the perimeter. Drizzle with virgin olive oil. You may decorate with chopped parsley, pomegranate seeds, mint leaves and/or a few garbanzo beans. Serve, or cover and refrigerate for an hour to thicken before serving.
Sahtein! (double health)
hummus deco
When I have company I turn the Hummus plate into a scene, like my Mother used to. Hers was much more elaborate.
Serve with whole wheat pita bread, or raw veggies. Delicious as an afternoon snack with a cup of tea!
~ Sahtein! (double health to you) ♥