Mark Bittmans Hummus Recipes

HUMMUS

Steps:

• Put the chickpeas, tahini, cumin or paprika, oil, garlic and lemon juice in a food processor, sprinkle with salt and pepper and begin to process; add chickpea-cooking liquid or water as needed to produce a smooth purée.
• Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper or lemon juice as needed. Serve, drizzled with some olive oil and sprinkled with a bit of cumin or paprika and some parsley.

HUMMUS FROM 'JERUSALEM'

Steps:

• Put chickpeas in a large bowl and cover with cold water at least twice their volume. Leave to soak overnight.
• The next day, drain chickpeas. In a medium saucepan, combine drained chickpeas and baking soda over high heat. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add 6 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil. Cook at a simmer, skimming off any foam and any skins that float to the surface, from 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the type and freshness. Once done, they should be very tender, breaking easily when pressed between your thumb and finger, almost but not quite mushy.
• Drain chickpeas. You should have roughly 3 cups (600 grams) now. Place chickpeas in a food processor and process until you get a stiff paste. Then, with the machine still running, add tahini paste, lemon juice, garlic and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Slowly drizzle in ice water and allow it to mix for about 5 minutes, until you get a very smooth and creamy paste.
• Transfer hummus to a bowl, cover surface with plastic wrap, and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. If not using immediately, refrigerate until needed, up to two days. Remove from fridge at least 30 minutes before serving.

HUMMUS WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• If time allows, soak chickpeas in water to cover overnight; if not, boil in water to cover for 2 minutes, then soak for 2 hours.
• In a pot, combine chickpeas and tomatoes in water to cover and simmer, partially covered, until chickpeas are very tender, adding water if necessary. Drain, reserving a little cooking liquid.
• Combine in a food processor with salt, pepper, garlic, oil, pimentón if using and reserved cooking liquid as necessary to get machine going. Purée, then add lemon juice to taste, along with more oil, pimentón or salt if desired. Serve with pita chips or raw vegetables. (This will keep, refrigerated, for about a week.)

HUMMUS WITH ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Place everything except water and olive oil in the container of a food processor and beginn to process; add water and olive oil as needed to make a smooth puree.
• Taste and add more garlic, salt, lemon juice, or cumin as needed.
• Serve, drizzled with a little olive oil and sprinkled with a bit of cumin.