Hummus · Classic
Extra-Smooth Classic Hummus
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Before you start
Gather your ingredients
Weights from USDA FoodData Central cup weights; counted things stay as counts.
Swaps for tahini
Instead of tahini
- Sunflower seed butter: The same amount. Sweeter and earthier; close in texture.
- Cashew or almond butter: The same amount. Milder and sweeter.
- Greek yogurt + a little sesame oil: The same amount of yogurt, plus a few drops of toasted sesame oil. Tangy and lighter; still tastes of sesame (skip the oil for a sesame allergy).
Cooking for an allergy? Check every label.
Swaps for lemon juice
Instead of lemon juice
- Lime juice: The same amount. A different, more floral aroma; works almost everywhere.
- Bottled lemon juice: The same amount. More sour and flatter; fine in cooking and baking, less bright in dressings and drinks.
- White wine vinegar or white vinegar: Half as much. Sharper, with no citrus aroma.
Swaps for garlic
Instead of garlic
- Garlic powder: ⅛ tsp for each clove. Mellower and sweeter, with no bite.
- Jarred minced garlic: ½ tsp for each clove. Milder and slightly sour from the preserving liquid.
Swaps for kosher salt
Instead of salt
- Table salt or fine sea salt: About half as much as Diamond Crystal kosher, about ¾ as much as Morton kosher. The same saltiness when measured this way.
- Salt by weight: 1 tsp is about 6 grams of table salt, 5 grams of Morton kosher, 3 grams of Diamond Crystal kosher. The most reliable way to swap, especially in baking and brines.
Swaps for ground cumin
Instead of cumin
- Ground coriander: The same amount. Brighter and citrusy, less earthy.
- Chili powder: Twice as much. Contains cumin, plus chile heat and garlic.
- Caraway seeds, ground: Half as much. A related flavor, a bit sharper.
Swaps for olive oil
Instead of olive oil
- Avocado oil or another neutral oil: The same amount. No olive flavor; avocado oil handles higher heat.
- Butter: The same amount. Richer and nutty when browned.
- A neutral oil + more seasoning: The same amount. Dressings lose the fruity, peppery note; a little extra lemon, garlic or mustard makes up for it.
Swaps for paprika
Instead of paprika
- Smoked paprika: The same amount. Adds a smoky flavor; lovely in most savory dishes.
- Chili powder: The same amount. Adds cumin, garlic and a little heat.
Step 1 of 8
Put the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt and cumin in a food processor.
Step 2 of 8
Blend until the mixture turns thick, pale and fluffy, scraping down the sides once.
Step 3 of 8
Add the chickpeas and blend until finely ground, scraping the bowl as needed.
Step 4 of 8
With the machine running, pour in the ice water and olive oil.
Step 5 of 8
Keep blending until the hummus is very smooth and creamy. Add more ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if it's too thick.
Step 6 of 8
Taste and add more salt or lemon if needed.
Step 7 of 8
Spread in a shallow bowl, make a swirl with the back of a spoon, drizzle with olive oil and dust with paprika.
Step 8 of 8
Serve with pita, crackers and vegetables.
All done
Enjoy!
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