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I love hummus, it’s one of my favorite go-to lunch recipes. I usually slather it on a tortilla with lettuce, avocado, chopped onions and a splash of balsamic vinegar. It’s so versatile, though, that you can even dollop it on a bean soup to add some creaminess. The best part is how easy it is to make. I make my hummus using chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans). You can cook your own or use canned. Either way, give them a rinse before you start:
The next ingredient is sesame seeds. You can use tahini (ground sesame seeds) or just use the seeds themselves. I buy unhulled sesame seeds, they look like this:
The unhulled, raw seeds are healthier than hulled seeds, kind of like comparing white and brown rice. If you don’t have a high-speed blender, then you might need to use a store-bought tahini or the seeds won’t get properly blended. The next ingredient is fresh lemon juice. I generally use the juice of one, medium-sized lemon. Lastly, you’ll need 2-3 cloves of garlic. Combine ingredients in a high-speed blender and start to blend. Work your way up to high for 30 seconds or so. If the mixture is too thick, simply add some water to loosen it up. You’ll get this:
That’s a lot of hummus!
This recipe is so simple, I didn’t even add any spices like cumin or paprika. I’d also like to point out that I use no oil in my hummus! The sesame seeds and the beans are flavorful and substantial enough without the unnecessary addition of oil.
4-Ingredient Hummus – Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
2-3 cups cooked chickpeas, rinsed and drained
Juice of one lemon, about 1/2 cup
2-3 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons unhulled sesame seeds (or tahini)
Directions:
In a high-speed blender, combine all ingredients. Blend until smooth, adding water if necessary.
Today I had to have lunch on the road so I made the tortilla wrap I mentioned above:
It was so delicious and satisfying! I read on a blog where someone made a dessert hummus. That’s an intriguing idea, I might have to pursue that. If you make hummus, what’s your recipe or special ingredient?
This weekend I am traveling to San Francisco to visit family. I love the city and can’t wait to try some vegan eats while I’m there. I’ll be Tweeting daily about my trip (follow me on Twitter here if you don’t already!) and will do a wrap-up after I get home next week. Have a wonderful weekend!
Kate Horning says
I have never tried hummus in my vitamix but after seeing this I know what im making tomorrow 😉 and even better that I dont have to buy tahini!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
i love that you use sesame seeds instead of having a whole jar of tahini sitting forever in your fridge. i recently made hummus with edamame and am in love:
http://theactorsdiet.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/the-right-combination/
Carrie says
Edammamus, ha ha ha!
Jenn from "Live Green, Wear Black" http://www.livegreenwearblack.com/ says
I use roasted pumpkin instead of garbanzo beans – super improvement! I also like a bit of toasted sesame oil for the flavor, doesn’t have to be a lot…
Miss Rachel says
I love homemade hummus. The flavor and texture are so superior to the store-bought stuff. My favorite add-in is cilantro or parsley; I like the flavor from fresh herbs and the look of the green bits in the mixture.
Carrie says
Hi Rachel! Agreed: homemade hummus kicks store-bought hummus’ butt. 🙂
Liz says
I took a cooking class and learned that pickle juice is a great addition!! It doesn’t taste like pickles at all, but it does add something!
Carrie says
Hmmmmmmm, not sure about that one. 🙂
my little celebration says
Yum! Thanks for sharing. I didn’t know you could bypass tahini and just use sesame seeds as a cheaper and healthier alternative. Good to know.
I like my hummus with a kick so I add in a little red pepper flake sometimes. But sun dried tomatoes are also a good addition.
R @ Learning As I Chop says
I love making hummus at home. It’s so easy and satisfying.
Ginny says
I’ve been on a hummus kick too lately! A couple weeks ago I added roasted red pepper, and then the other day I added jalapenos and cilantro. SO GOOD! I add all the extras though :-/ salt, evoo, and also some of the juice from the canned garbanzos.
Your wrap looks delish; perfect for lunch on the go. Have a great time in SF, I’m sure there’s a plethora of awesome veggie restaurants up there! 🙂
Carrie says
Thanks Ginny! I love your idea of adding cilantro and jalapeno, I bet the flavor was really great and would work well for me since I’m not using salt.
Robyn :) says
This looks delicious!! I am going to look for those seeds when I go to Whole Foods tomorrow. Is there anything else you can suggest I buy while there(that regular grocery stores might not have). It is 2 hours away so I don’t get there that often!!
Have a great time in San Francisco!!
Carrie says
Hi Robyn, check out the bulk bins while at WF, you might find some cool stuff. I also buy my unsweetened Eden soymilk at the natural food store in my town as well as Eden canned beans. Enjoy your shopping time! 🙂
Kathleen @ KatsHealthCorner says
YUMMM!!!!!! I love hummus! I just made some the other day, and I’m one happy girl!!! I lvoe that your recipe only calls for 4 ingredients! 😀 YAY for WHOLE FOODS!
Carrie says
Whole foods are the best! 🙂
Lisa says
This looks amazing! I love hummus and also like to keep it simple 🙂
Sometimes I add sundried tomatoes and artichokes and give it a few chops in the processor…so good!
Carrie says
Great suggestions for hummus add-ins! I just bought some sundried tomatoes today and that sounds like a great way to use them.
kalli says
oh carrie i love this recipe! and i love hummus…..i will definitely try this with the sesame seeds. enjoy your trip 🙂
Carrie says
Thanks Kalli! I love how easy it is to make homemade hummus.
Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel says
Hummus always tastes best simple- with few ingredients. most of the time when you go to the store or even the deli sections, their hummus is packed with ingredients- but hummus is meant to be basic with fresh ingredients like you made <3
HOPPY EASTER !!!
Amber Shea @Almost Vegan says
I almost always include curry powder (anywhere from a pinch to a couple tsps) in my hummus. It goes so well with garlic! 🙂
Carrie says
Great suggestion. Curry is such a healthful ingredient, too.
Karena says
Love the idea of using sesame seeds — I have a huge jar of them sitting around that I never use! My current fave addition to hummus is horseradish and dill – got the idea from Isa Chandra’s newest cookbook and it is phenomenal!
Carrie says
Ohhh, that does sound like a great hummus to try. Yum!
Kristin @ FoodFash says
This post just reminded me I have a bag of chick peas I need to soak so I can make hummus stat!
Carrie says
Yay, go for it! 🙂
Em says
Hummus + ins:
Carrot and corriander
Caramelised onions
Lemon juice and corriander
Chopped chilli
Black peppercorns
Carrie says
Great suggestions, thanks! 🙂
C. Raine says
Did it just like Carrie said and it turned out EXCELLENT. Thank you!!
Carrie says
Yay, thanks for letting me know! 🙂