Hummus

Directions

1. Presoak the chickpeas in ample water 48 hours, changing the water about 2x each day.

2. In a pressure cooker: Put chickpeas + whole onion + 2-3 bay leaves + enough water to cover the chickpeas by about 7 cm (3”)

(Do NOT add salt!)

3. Just cover lightly and bring to a boil. Remove lid and skim the froth that forms on the water.

4. Continue boiling uncovered for 15 minutes.

5. Now put lid on pressure cooker and close tightly.

6. Cook 2 1/2 hours.

7. Turn off the flame, let the pressure come down a bit.

Remove the lid, and taste a few chickpeas. They should be VERY soft, almost mushy.

If not, cook another half hour.

8. Cool the chickpeas + liquid at once by immersing the uncovered pressure cooker in a sinkful of cold water. If you are using a OnePot, remove the inner pot to do this.

As the water in the sink heats up from the hot pressure cooker, drain out the warm water and put in new cold water.

*** Now you are ready to start creating the hummus. ***

a) Put in a food processor and process till smooth :

the cooked chickpeas (without the liquid, Also discard the bay leaves and the whole onion that have cooked with the chickpeas.)

1/2 cup olive oil

(You may reserve some of the cooked chickpeas to serve atop the hummus.)

b) Add to food processor and process till incorporated :

3/4 cup of the liquid from the pot

2-3 garlic cloves

1/2 - 1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. salt (may need more)

c) Add and process :

3/4 cup tahini (raw, unprepared sesame butter)

d) Taste and check if need more tahini / spices. You can eat it immediately while it is warm or

.e) Immediately put in an air-tight container and refrigerate

Hummus is very perishable and should not be left out longer than necessary.

It lasts 3 days in the fridge.

f) To serve, eat as is, or garnish with olive oil, paprika and chopped parsley.

Note: You will find that each time you make hummus, you will perfect the method more and more. With hummus, you get the knack over time. You will find the consistency that you like (adding more or less cooking liquid to the hummus paste in the food processor, as desired). You will get the feel of how much olive oil, salt, cumin & garlic you like. How finely you like the chickpeas ground, etc. Have fun.....let me know how it comes out 🙂