Best Hummus

INSTRUCTIONS

1. * 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 flavour can mellow, ideally 10 minutes or longer.
2. 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.
3. 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.)
4. 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.
5. Taste, and adjust as necessary—I almost always add another ¼ teaspoon salt for more overall flavour and another tablespoon of lemon juice for extra zing.
6. 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.

TIPS

*Cook chickpeas with 1/2 teaspoon of bi carb soda. This breaks down the skin of the chickpeas and ensure they are nice and soft to create a smooth, creamy texture for the hummus.

**If using canned chickpeas, cook them for 20 minutes with 1/2 teaspoon of bi carb soda, before you start step 1. Canned chickpeas are not always soft enough to make hummus, and can end up being chunky rather than the smooth creamy texture it is supposed to be.

HOW TO COOK DRY CHICKPEAS IN A HURRY FOR THIS RECIPE: In a large saucepan, combine 5 ounces (¾ cup) dried chickpeas and ½ teaspoon baking soda, and fill the pot with water. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat and skim off the surface foam as needed. Continue boiling over medium-high, adding more water if you start running out, until the chickpeas are very mushy and falling apart, about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. Drain in a fine-mesh colander, rinse under cool running water, and drain well before using. Start the recipe at step 2.