Extra Special Hummus Food

BEST HUMMUS

Steps:

• Place the chickpeas in a medium saucepan and add the baking soda. Cover the chickpeas by several inches of water, then bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Continue boiling, reducing heat if necessary to prevent overflow, for about 20 minutes, or until the chickpeas look bloated, their skins are falling off, and they're quite soft. In a fine-mesh strainer, drain the chickpeas and run cool water over them for about 30 seconds. Set aside (no need to peel the chickpeas for this recipe!).
• Meanwhile, in a food processor or high-powered blender, combine the lemon juice, garlic and salt. Process until the garlic is very finely chopped, then let the mixture rest so the garlic flavor can mellow, ideally 10 minutes or longer.
• Add the tahini to the food processor and blend until the mixture is thick and creamy, stopping to scrape down any tahini stuck to the sides and bottom of the processor as necessary.
• While running the food processor, drizzle in 2 tablespoons ice water. Scrape down the food processor, and blend until the mixture is ultra smooth, pale and creamy. (If your tahini was extra-thick to begin with, you might need to add 1 to 2 tablespoons more ice water.)
• Add the cumin and the drained, over-cooked chickpeas to the food processor. While blending, drizzle in the olive oil. Blend until the mixture is super smooth, scraping down the sides of the processor as necessary, about 2 minutes. Add more ice water by the tablespoon if necessary to achieve a super creamy texture.
• Taste, and adjust as necessary-I almost always add another 1/4 teaspoon salt for more overall flavor and another tablespoon of lemon juice for extra zing.
• Scrape the hummus into a serving bowl or platter, and use a spoon to create nice swooshes on top. Top with garnishes of your choice, and serve. Leftover hummus keeps well in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 1 week.

HOW TO MAKE SUPER CREAMY HUMMUS

Steps:

• Drain the chickpeas over a colander, reserving the liquid in a bowl. Skip to step 5 if not removing the skins from the chickpeas.
• To remove the skins for creamier hummus: rinse the chickpeas and add them to a small microwave-safe bowl.
• Toss the chickpeas in 1 ½ tsp. baking soda and microwave them for 90 seconds.
• Pour the hot chickpeas into a large bowl and cover with cool water. Gently rub the chickpeas between your hands to remove the skins. Drain off the water with the skins, and repeat the process until all the skins have been removed. It may take 4-5 changes of water.
• Add the chickpeas (with skins on or off), ¼ cup of chickpea liquid from the can, and all other ingredients to a food processor or blender and blend until completely smooth, about 60 seconds. If things aren't moving around very well, you can add 2 extra tbsp. at a time of the chickpea liquid.
• Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve with crackers, chips, veggies, or as a sandwich spread.

EXTRA-CREAMY HUMMUS

Steps:

• You can make extra-creamy hummus using chickpea flour instead of whole chickpeas. (Look for the flour at specialty and health-food stores.) Simmer 2 3/4 cups salted water. Whisk in 3/4 cup chickpea flour to make a paste and cook 2 minutes. Puree with 1/4 cup tahini, 3 tablespoons olive oil and the zest and juice of 1 lemon. Toast 1/4 teaspoon each cumin and fennel seeds in a skillet; add some red pepper flakes and 2 tablespoons olive oil and cook 30 seconds. Serve warm, drizzled with the spiced oil and topped with parsley.

EXTRA-SPECIAL HUMMUS

Steps:

• Drain the chickpeas over a bowl to catch the liquid. Tip the chickpeas into a blender or food processor and blitz with the garlic, tahini, olive oil, lemon and a generous pinch of sea salt. With the motor running, trickle in half the chickpea water to create a smooth, creamy mixture. Season again with a little more lemon juice or salt, if you like. Will keep chilled for up to to two days.
• Spoon and swirl the hummus into a shallow bowl. Scatter with the chopped pistachios, pomegranate and sesame seeds, chilli flakes and herbs. Drizzle with a little olive oil. Serve with flatbreads and crudités.