How to make real Lebanese hummus?

A few words about hummus

Hummus literally translates to "chickpeas" in Arabic. This creamy and delicate chickpea paste with the addition of tahini, garlic and lemon juice is a traditional Middle Eastern dish and a deeply rooted element of the local culture.

Where exactly does hummus come from? This is not entirely known. The dispute on this front between individual countries has been going on for centuries, and each nation is deeply convinced that it was in its country that the recipe for an excellent chickpea paste was invented. Some even claim that the hummus conflict is one of the fiercest culinary wars of all time, and it is impossible to definitively determine the history and origin of this oriental delicacy.

This does not change the fact that in the entire Arab world hummus is present on the tables of the local population almost every day and is commonly eaten with pita bread or falafel. In Lebanon you can taste one of the best traditional hummus, which is a real feast for the taste buds. All this thanks to the incredibly smooth, creamy consistency and the perfect proportion between the ingredients.

Today we will show you how to prepare the original Lebanese hummus , which has nothing to do with the ready-made hummus sold in supermarkets. This recipe for classic hummus will guarantee you an authentic Lebanese experience , and in addition it is very simple and quick to prepare!

Lebanese hummus - what ingredients do you need?

The original, classic hummus consists of just 6 ingredients , most of which you probably already have in your kitchen.

The basis of hummus is, of course, chickpeas . You can use dry chickpeas and cook them yourself. However, this process is quite long, because chickpeas should be soaked overnight with a teaspoon of baking soda, and the next day boiled for about 40 - 60 minutes. If you just got a wolf's head or you expect guests in an hour to whom you would like to serve a delicious snack, put the method with dry chickpeas aside for another occasion. You can also use already cooked canned chickpeas, with which, immediately after draining it from the brine, you will start work, and the preparation of hummus will take you literally a few minutes.

The second key ingredient in hummus is tahini, which is a paste made from roasted sesame seeds . Remember! Not all tahini are created equal. Choose only high-quality products that contain only one ingredient, i.e. 100% sesame seeds . Real, organic sesame butter can be found in our store's offer.

Freshly squeezed lemon juice or BIO Lemon Juice and garlic , a bit of extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt are also inseparable ingredients of the original Lebanese hummus.

The perfect Lebanese hummus recipe!

You already know what ingredients make a real Lebanese hummus. Now it's time for you to get acquainted with the exact proportions and the method of preparation.

Ingredients:

• 1 can of 400g chickpeas - approx. 240g after draining
• BIO Tahini - Sesame Paste - 100g
• BIO Lemon Juice - Organic - 30g
• BIO Olive Oil - Extra Virgin - 30g
• garlic - 2 cloves
• water - 30g
• pinch of salt

Preparation:

Carefully drain the canned chickpeas on a sieve and transfer to a bowl or blender cup. Add the tahina, lemon juice, garlic, water, olive oil and salt. Mix until you get a smooth and velvety mass. Then put the hummus in a bowl or a closed container, and pour a thin layer of olive oil on top. Thanks to this, the hummus will not only look beautiful, but also keep it fresh and will not dry out. The whole thing can be sprinkled with finely chopped parsley or sweet paprika and stored in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.

Watch how we make real Lebanese hummus!

Variations on hummus

In the video, we presented the recipe for the basic, classic hummus, which is prepared in Lebanon, but there are as many variations on chickpea paste as there are chefs in the world. You can prepare a version of hummus with the addition of dried tomatoes, chilli, wild garlic, coriander, cumin, avocado or smoked paprika. Beetroot, pumpkin, basil or with onion hummus also tastes great.

What to serve hummus with?

Hummus tastes great with a slice of fresh and crispy bread, baguette, pita bread, crackers, rice cakes or nachos. It is also an excellent dip for vegetables , such as carrots, onions, celery, peppers and cucumbers. Chickpea paste will also work well as an addition to dinner dishes and salads . You can mix it with any pasta, rice, groats and spread hummus on vegetable pancakes or savory pancakes. In the tradition of the Middle East , falafel served with hummus is an inseparable combination of flavors and one of the most frequently served dishes of Lebanese cuisine.

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