I am sharing four of my most favourite hummus recipes. Hummus makes a very healthy option for a snack or a dip. Try one of these four easy and extra smooth recipes with some added twists for extra flavour.

I love hummus and I am so obsessed with it. But I was always afraid of making it myself. I knew it was easy to make, yet so intimidating and foreign to me to try.

Once I finally overcame my fear of making it, the rest became history!

Recipe # 1: The Basic and Traditional Hummus Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 can of chickpeas (read below on how to skin and peel chickpeas easily)
• 4 tablespoons of Tahini (Tahini is pure ground sesame sauce. It is a condensed sesame butter paste. Very yummy and high in calories.)
• Salt and black pepper
• Juice of one fresh lemon
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 clove of garlic finely chopped
• 2-4 tablespoons of olive oil
• A little filtered water to adjust the consistency if needed

Empty the can of chickpeas into a big bowl. Rinse till the water runs clear.

Tip for the easiest and most simple way on how to get rid of the chickpea skin or peels: 

Once the chickpeas are fully washed, fill the bowl with cold water and gently rub the chickpeas in between your fingers. The skin comes off very easily with a slight rub and they all float to the top. Spill out all the loose skin/peels; repeat the process if needed.  Once all the peels are off, rinse and drain the chickpeas.   

When the chickpeas are ready, place them into a food processor.

Add the lemon juice, cumin powder, garlic, tahini sauce, salt and black pepper and blend. If too thick, add a small amount of water at a time till you reach your desired consistency. Blend until smooth.

My added twist to this recipe: I have often heard some say, “I don’t like the olive oil smell!” (my daughter included).  In order to fix that, in a pan I heat olive oil, crush the garlic and add it to the olive oil along with cumin powder. Roast everything for a minute, and then add it to the mixture.  This will not only get rid of the olive oil smell for the sensitive individuals, but it also adds an extra level of taste.

Recipe # 2: Cooked or Roasted Hummus

• 1 can of chickpeas
• 4 tablespoons of Tahini
• Salt and black pepper
• Juice of one fresh lemon
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika powder
• 1 clove of garlic finely chopped
• 2-4 tablespoons of olive oil
• A little filtered water to adjust the consistency if needed

Follow the steps above on how to wash and peel chickpeas.

For an added twist and extra flavour, cook the chickpeas. In pan add olive oil, garlic, cumin powder and toast for 1 minute. Add chickpeas and cook for 2-5 minutes. Add paprika powder and lemon juice and mix for 1 minute before removing it from the heat. Wait until it cools down.

Put the cooked chickpeas into the blender with tahini sauce, salt and black pepper, and a little bit of water if needed. Blend until smooth.

Recipe # 3: Avocado Hummus

• 1 can of chickpeas
• 4 tablespoons of Tahini
• Salt and black pepper
• Juice of one fresh lemon
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 clove of garlic finely chopped
• 2-4 tablespoons of olive oil
• ½ red onion (optional – chopped into smaller pieces)
• A little filtered water to adjust the consistency if needed
• 2 ripe avocados

Follow the steps above on how to wash and peel chickpeas. Add everything into the food processor and blend until very smooth. Add a little water to adjust consistency if needed.

Recipe # 4: Beets Hummus

• 1 can of chickpeas
• 4 tablespoons of Tahini
• Salt and black pepper
• Juice of one fresh lemon
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 clove of garlic finely chopped
• 2-4 tablespoons of olive oil
• A little filtered water to adjust the consistency if needed
• 1-2 small beets boiled with skin on till soft and tender

Follow the steps above on how to wash chickpeas.

Peel the boiled beets and slice into thin pieces. To avoid any stain on your hands or nails wear rubber gloves while handling beets.

Place everything into the food processor and blend until smooth. Add water to adjust consistency if needed.

You can also try carrot hummus. Just follow the steps above and replace beets with carrots!