Classic Chickpea Hummus
Ok, well let’s start at the very beginning with a classic chickpea hummus. This is a great way to start incorporating healthy snacks and sides into your meals. It is super easy to make and stores in the fridge for up to a week… if you manage to keep it for that long….yum!
This classic chickpea hummus is great to put on your toast along with avocado if you wish or even just use it as a dip with a whole wheat pita. Alternatively, if you wanted to go super healthy you could serve it with carrot sticks, red pepper and, or cucumber.
Why is Chickpea Hummus Good for You?
This popular Middle Eastern dip is crammed with healthy ingredients. Not only does it contain healthy vitamins, minerals and antioxidents that have impressive benefits such as reduced inflammation, improved blood sugar levels and cholesterol. The healthy ingredients keep you fuller for longer and aid digestion. Hummus is also high in protein which is suitable for those on a vegan or vegtarian diet.
What You’ll Need
Chickpeas
Rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber, they offer a variety of health benefits including weight management, improved digestion, and may reduce the risk of certain diseases. Also because they are high in protein, chickpeas make a great protein replacement for those on a vegetarian or vegan diet.
Garlic
Garlic has been used since the Greeks to treat a variety of medical conditions which can help combat sickness, including the common cold. It can also reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol and lower the risk of heart disease.
Fresh lemon juice
Lemons are high in vitamin C which assists with immune system health and also reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. Lemons may also help to control weight, protect against anemia, cancer and prevent kidney stones.
Tahini paste
Tahini is full of healthy fats, vitamins and minerals, is rich in antioxidants and also has anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds help protect liver and kidney function, may decrease the risk of certain diseases and strengthen the nervous system.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is a great cooking choice as it is rich in monounsaturated fats and could potentially reduce the risk of cancer, strokes and heart disease. It also reduces inflammation that can assist in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Ground Cumin
Used in traditional medicine, cumin is a rich source of iron, promotes digestion and may promote weight loss, fat reduction and inflammation.
Cayenne Pepper
May help boost the metabolism and reduce hunger as well as relieve pain, lower blood pressure, improve psoriasis and reduce the risk of cancer.
Salt
Acts as an electrolyte in the body and assists with fluid balance, nerve transmission and muscle function.
How to Make Classic Chickpea Hummus
Well, this recipe could not get any easier…. Firstly squeeze the lemon so that it has enough juice for two tablespoons and peel and smash the garlic. Then pour the juice over the garlic in a bowl or glass and leave to sit for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, rinse and strain the chickpeas and set aside. Once the 5 minutes is up add the lemon, garlic, tahini, chickpeas and some of the water into the food processor. Alternatively you could put all the ingredients into a bowl and use a handheld blender. Blend the ingredients together until the chickpeas are blitzed. You may find that you need to add some more water to get the mixture round the food processor, if you need to do this then do it slowly as you do not want the mixture to be too watery.
Then add the cumin, salt and the olive oil and blend until smooth and creamy. If you want to add the cayenne pepper then do this after this stage and give it one last whizz.
How to Store and Make Ahead
You will be able to fill the 400g jar that the chickpeas came in with this wonderful, healthy classic chickpea hummus. Store in the fridge and eat within a week.
More Healthy Hummus Recipes
If you try this classic chickpea hummus recipe or have a comment then feel free to leave a rating and let me know. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make, thanks!
Classic Chickpea Hummus
Equipment
- Food processor or hand held blender
Ingredients
- 425 g Jar of chickpeas Drained and rinsed
- 2 Garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice Freshly squeezed
- 80g Tahini
- 50 ml Cold water
- 1/2 tsp Ground cumin
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 3/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper Optional
Instructions
- Soak the crushed garlic in the freshly squeezed lemon juice for 5 minutes.
- Add the chickpeas to the food processor as well as the lemon juice, garlic, tahini and half of the cold water and process. If the food processor is having a little bit of difficulty moving the mixture then add a little bit more of the water to get it moving, but not too much as you do not want the hummus to be too watery.
- Then add in the rest of the ingredients; cumin, salt, olive oil and more remaining cold water (if you need it) and process until smooth.
- Add the cayenne pepper (optional) and then process again.
Nutrition
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