PONY'TUDE Gets Cooking - Hummus

The main players for our hummus

You know what? Pre-packaged hummus is EXPENSIVE.

Like, ABSURDLY EXPENSIVE. 

You know what else?

It's also STUPID-EASY and REALLY CHEAP to make at home. And delicious! And good for you! And an awesome snack or lunch! 

You'll need some heavy equipment for this one - a food processor is a necessary tool, here. But if you've got a food processor and a couple brain cells to rub together, YOU can make hummus! 

Alli's Stupid-Easy Hummus

2 15oz Cans Chick Peas

2-3 Cloves Garlic

1 Lemon

3-4 T Olive Oil

2 T Tahini Paste

Salt

Cayenne Pepper

This is a recipe that I make on the fly, and am always adjusting and experimenting as far as flavors and add-ins go. Once you have the basic recipe down, you can add or subtract flavors as you wish. Like more garlic? Pile it in! Don't like it to have any heat? Leave out the cayenne. Love lemon? Squeeze in some more juice! Add fresh herbs, olives, avocado, roasted peppers... the possibilities for hummus are endless! 

But the basics are always the same - we start with garlic oil.

Begin Here.

Thinly slice the garlic and put it in a small pan with the olive oil. Over low heat, cook the garlic until it's just golden brown on both sides. DO NOT BURN THE GARLIC. Watch this closely, since once the garlic starts browning it doesn't stop. Take the garlic oil off the heat as soon as the garlic browns! Burned garlic will bring shame to your family.

STOP HERE! REMOVE FROM HEAT IMMEDIATELY!

Drain the chick peas, but KEEP THE BEAN JUICE. You'll need this later to thin out the consistency of your hummus. Throw the chick peas into the food processor. 

Juice the lemon and add the juice to the food processor. Throw the tahini paste in there. Add a dash of cayenne (or more if you like spice!) and a pinch of salt to start - we'll adjust seasonings later. Then pour in your garlic oil. If you love garlic, toss a couple slivers in with the oil as well.

Turn on the food processor.

As it mixes, you'll notice your hummus looks dry and chunky and not smooth and pretty. Drizzle in the reserved bean juice a few spoonfuls at a time until the texture thins out and the hummus looks smooth.

Bean juice.

Now, grab a spoon and taste! But please turn off your food processor first. 

At this point, add more of whatever you think it needs - pepper, salt, lemon, or garlic. 

PROCESS!

Taste again. Good? Good. Scoop that beautiful concoction into a bowl. If you're feeling fancy, drizzle the top with olive oil and sprinkle on fresh chopped parsley. If you're not, just grab some veggies or pita bread and dig in!