Hummus is so easy to make yet is super inexpensive. I like to start with dried chickpeas to keep the cost down because with a large family, we go through a lot of food. And the kids love hummus, so it goes quickly.
We’ve been making this for a while now and have perfected our recipe just the way we like it. The best thing about cooking is that you can experiment and try new things til you find just what you like. Everyone has their own preference and most of our family likes spicy.
We start with 1 pound dried chickpeas. Dump them into an instant pot and add enough water so they are covered by 2-3 inches. Add a tablespoon or so of salt. I never measure, just guess. Set to high pressure for 40 minutes and wait til they are done. I usually go do something else and come back to it in a couple hours. If you’re in a hurry you can quick realease.
I drain most of the water and put them into the vitamix. We have tried different blenders, but the vitamix is far superior to everything else. I add a tablespoon or two of olive oil. Again I don’t measure, it doesn’t have to be exact. And I add canned jalapenos and their juice. I don’t measure those either so sometimes it is spicier than others. It will probably be thick, so I add enough (unmeasured) water til it reaches the consistency I want.
Mix on high power until it has a creamy texture. That’s it. If you like it warm it’s ready. If you like it cold, stick it in the fridge for a while.
There are so many different flavors you can add, tahini, peppers, sundried tomatoes, garlic, the list goes on. Just play with it and see what flavors you like.
Our family eats legumes daily and hummus adds some variety. It’s easy to make and most kids love it if you find the right flavor. We love to dip carrots, celery and broccoli in it. It makes a great healthy snack and it’s filling for growing children.
