
Libanon · Vorspeise · Einfach
Hummus
Silky Lebanese hummus bi tahini from dried chickpeas
Dried chickpeas cooked until they collapse, blended hot with tahini, lemon, garlic and ice water into a smooth, light dip. Overcooking the chickpeas with a little bicarbonate of soda and whipping the tahini with ice water first is what makes it silky rather than grainy.
- Energie
- 320 kcalpro Portion
- Vorbereitung
- 15 Min.
- Kochen
- 1 Std. 10 Min.
- Ruhen
- 12 Std.
- Eiweiß
- 12 g
Wie war's?
Küchengeräte
- Large bowl for soaking
- Large pot (4 l) with a lid
- Slotted spoon
- Food processor
- Colander
- Rubber spatula
Bevor du anfängst
- Pick over the dried chickpeas and remove any stones or shrivelled ones.
- Put a jug of water with ice cubes in the fridge before you start blending.
- Squeeze the lemons and strain out the pips.
Zubereitung
-
Soak the chickpeas
250 g dried chickpeas2 TL bicarbonate of soda3 l waterCover the chickpeas with plenty of cold water, at least three times their volume, and stir in half of the bicarbonate of soda. Leave to soak at room temperature for 12–24 hours.
Fertig, wenn The chickpeas have doubled in size, look plump and smooth, and a chickpea splits easily with a fingernail.
Tipp In a warm kitchen, soak them in the fridge so they do not start to ferment.
-
Start cooking
250 g dried chickpeas2 TL bicarbonate of soda3 l waterDrain and rinse the chickpeas, put them in the pot with fresh water to cover by 5 cm and the rest of the bicarbonate of soda. Bring to a boil over high heat and skim off the foam.
Fertig, wenn A thick layer of white foam rises; after skimming, the water boils clear.
-
Simmer until very soft
250 g dried chickpeasLower to medium-low, partly cover and simmer for 45–75 minutes, skimming off the loose skins that float up, until the chickpeas are completely soft.
Fertig, wenn A chickpea squashes to a smooth paste between your fingers with no resistance, and many have split open.
Tipp Cook them past the point you would eat them whole. Undercooked chickpeas are the main cause of grainy hummus.
-
Drain while hot
250 g dried chickpeasDrain the chickpeas in the colander. Set aside two tablespoons of the best whole ones for serving.
Fertig, wenn The chickpeas are steaming and look slightly mushy.
-
Mellow the garlic
60 ml lemon juice1 Zehe garlic1 TL fine saltPut the lemon juice, garlic and salt in the food processor and blend for 20 seconds. Leave for 10 minutes.
Fertig, wenn The garlic is finely minced and the sharp raw smell has softened.
Tipp The acid tames the garlic so it does not dominate.
-
Whip the tahini
120 g tahini100 ml ice-cold waterAdd the tahini and blend; it will seize and thicken. With the motor running, add the ice water a tablespoon at a time until the mixture loosens, using about half of it.
Fertig, wenn The mixture first turns thick and clumpy, then becomes pale, smooth and creamy, like thick yogurt.
-
Blend the chickpeas
250 g dried chickpeas½ TL ground cuminAdd the hot chickpeas and cumin and blend for 3–4 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides once or twice.
Fertig, wenn The hummus is very smooth and light, with no grit when you rub a little between your fingers.
Tipp Blend longer than feels necessary. The motor warming the mixture helps make it smoother.
-
Adjust the texture
100 ml ice-cold water60 ml lemon juice1 TL fine saltWith the motor running, add more ice water a tablespoon at a time until the hummus is soft and spreadable. Taste and adjust with salt and lemon juice.
Fertig, wenn It slowly falls off a spoon and settles into soft peaks; it will firm up as it cools.
-
Plate
2 EL extra virgin olive oil½ TL sweet paprika or sumac5 g flat-leaf parsley250 g dried chickpeasSpread the hummus on a shallow plate and make a swirl with the back of a spoon. Fill the hollow with olive oil and finish with the reserved chickpeas, paprika and parsley.
Fertig, wenn A smooth, pale mound with a green-gold pool of oil in the groove.
Typische Fehler
The hummus is grainy.
Lösung The chickpeas were undercooked or cold when blended. Cook them until they fall apart, blend while hot, and blend for at least 3 minutes.
It is thick and heavy, like paste.
Lösung Not enough ice water. Add it a tablespoon at a time with the motor running; it lightens the colour and texture.
It tastes bitter.
Lösung The tahini was old or dark. Use a fresh, light-coloured tahini and taste it before using.
It tastes soapy.
Lösung Too much bicarbonate of soda in the cooking water, or the chickpeas were not rinsed. Keep to the amount given and rinse well after soaking.
Servieren
Serve at room temperature with warm pitta or flatbread, raw vegetables and pickles as part of a mezze. For a main dish, top with spiced minced lamb or warm whole chickpeas.
Aufbewahren und Aufwärmen
Keeps 4 days in the fridge in a sealed container with a thin layer of olive oil on top. Do not freeze; the texture becomes watery. Let it come to room temperature and stir before serving.
Vorbereiten
Cook the chickpeas up to 2 days ahead and keep them in their cooking water in the fridge; warm them before blending. The finished hummus can be made 1 day ahead.
Varianten
With canned chickpeas
Use 2 drained 400 g cans. Simmer them in water with 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda for 20 minutes until very soft, then drain and continue from step 5.
Hummus with meat (hummus bil lahme)
Fry 200 g minced lamb with seven spice and pine nuts until browned and cooked to 71 °C, and spoon it hot over the plated hummus.







