Hummus

The bean saga continues!  It hasn't been that long since I became brave enough to even try hummus and now here I am making it.  It turns out that my little bean lady (Annalise) loves the stuff and it has grown on me as well.  I've bought 8 oz. of prepared hummus for about $3 - and because it calls for an ingredient (tahini) that not everyone keeps in their pantry - this is probably a reasonable price.  I saw a homemade cost of 85 cents and I think that is a stretch.  I think 8oz comes closer to $2 and if you are only going to make it one time, it's going to cost a lot more.  I am going to make it until I get the the bottom of my pound of tahini and not waste one drop!

That said, making hummus is ridiculously easy.  Step one: prepare the chickpeas in the usual way.  Either soak them in water (4/1 ratio) overnight or do a "quick soak" (boil 2 minutes and let set covered 1 hour).  Then drain and recover with fresh water and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. 

I used 1/2 cup dry chickpeas.  In general bean volume doubles after cooking, so this is the same as 1 cup canned.

Step 2 - the only even slightly difficult part:  Peel your cooked chickpeas.  It is much easier to peel them if you put them in ice water right away.  Stir gently and some of the skins will come off on their own.  The others come off easily by squeezing the beans.  If you wait until they are completely cool, the skins will not come off as easily.  (I learned this the hard way.)

You *can* make it with the skins on, but it will be gritty and I liked it less that way.

Step 3:  Put all desired ingredients in a food processor and puree.

They had exactly 1 brand of Tahini in Publix.  $7+ for 1lb. 

I think making hummus is akin to making potato salad, it is not necessary to follow a recipe to the letter.  You may like more or less tahini, garlic or lemon juice.  We added roasted red peppers.  Usually this is a light lunch for us and an extra serving of beans!  Happy bean eating!!