Easy and Healthy Homemade Hummus

Chef: HLP From: UK Serves: 4
Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 x 400g tin of chickpeas

• 1 tbsp tahini (sesame seed paste)

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 clove garlic, crushed or finely chopped

• 1 lemon, juiced

• A pinch of salt, optional

• 1-2 tbsp water, optional

• sesame seeds, to serve, optional

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Hummus, sometimes spelled houmous, is a dip made from chickpeas, lemon juice, garlic and tahini (sesame seed paste). It originally comes from the Middle East but is very popular in Britain and across the world now.  Hummus is easy to buy ready made but many shop bought tubs of hummus contain a lot of fat and salt. If you make your own it is much easier to make it healthy.  To make hummus you will need a blender or food processor. You can make this in a bowl with a handheld stick blender (immersion blender) but your hummus won’t end up as smooth.

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Method:

1. Drain the chickpeas and rinse in cold water.

2. Place the chickpeas in a blender or food processor with the tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and salt (if using).

3. Pulse until well combined. You may not to stop and scrape the sides of your food processor down with a spatula once or twice.

4. Add the water a little at a time, blending as you go, until you have the consistency you like.

5. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if using and serve with pitta bread and/or vegetable sticks.

6. Store in the fridge in a container with a lid for 2-3 days.