Creamy Garlic Hummus

Hummus is a Middle Eastern dish made of chickpeas and tahini. Garlic or roasted red peppers and other spices are common additions. It's great as a veggie dip or with pita chips. It's also good on Chicken Shawarma pitas or Falafels. 

Can I make hummus with canned chickpeas?

While we believe using dried chickpeas makes not only a better tasting hummus, but a smoother one too, we understand that the extra steps and time it takes isn't always feasible. You can definitely use canned chickpeas for this hummus recipe. Replace the dried chickpeas with 2 (15-oz.) cans. Drain and rinse them well and proceed to blend the chickpeas with the rest of the ingredients. 

Pro tip: To keep your hummus smooth while using canned chickpeas, take the time to remove the skin by gently squeezing each chickpea until the skin slips off. Annoying, but worth it. 

What is tahini?

Tahini has slowly but surely made its way into American kitchens and we couldn't be happier for it. Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds. It's nutty and creamy and is a must in hummus. It keeps for a long time in the fridge and can be used in salad dressings, baba ghanoush, and is even good as a peanut butter replacement in cookies. 

How else can I flavor hummus?

For this recipe we are relying on roasted garlic flavor. You can skip the roasting and add a couple cloves of raw garlic into the hummus for a punchier taste. Fresh or jarred roasted red peppers are also a common and yummy addition to hummus. Harissa, a red chili paste, makes for a spicy and colorful addition. You can also play around with spices, like more cumin, paprika, coriander, za'atar, or everything bagel seasoning. The options are limitless. 

Have you tried this yet? Let us know how it went in the comments below!