If you’re like us, hummus is one of your go-to snacks. It’s versatile and healthy and quite simple to prepare, but there’s one simple trick using an ingredient you may even already have that’ll take your homemade hummus to the next level.
While canned chickpeas certainly work in a pinch, we find hummus is even better when prepared with dried beans. Soak them overnight, and then cook with the secret ingredient: baking soda. Baking soda raises the pH of the water which allows the dried, soaked beans to soften more quickly. Ultimately this leads to creamier hummus. Here’s exactly how we prepare ours:
Ingredients (Serves 4-6):
- 1 cup dried chickpeas
- 3 cups water
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ cup tahini
- 3 cloves crushed garlic
- ¼ cup lemon juice (best to use fresh-squeezed)
- ¼ cup cold water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cumin
Instructions:
- Soak dried chickpeas in a large bowl filled with water overnight.
- Once your chickpeas have about doubled in size, drain and add to a pot with baking soda.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes over a medium flame, ensuring to stir the chickpeas often.
- Add 3 cups of water and bring to a boil.
- Reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, adding more water one cup at a time if it reduces too much.
- Drain chickpeas and add to a food processor.
- Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.
- Enjoy with veggies or pita!
