Hummus is my jam! Well, not literally ? I used to buy it at the market all the time before realizing how quick and healthy it was to make at home. I love keeping this in my fridge and snacking on it with baby carrots, red bell peppers, or celery sticks. This spicy little dish is a perfect snack to keep on hand in between zoom calls.
INGREDIENTS.
- 2-3 Red bell peppers (roasted)
- 1-can Chickpeas (you can use 1-cup of dried chickpeas but be sure to soak them the night before, or boil them according to the package)
- 1/2 cup Tahini
- Pinch of paprika, or smoked paprika
- Calabrian chilies or paste (for spice)
- Juice of a fresh lemon
- 2-3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 3 Garlic cloves, fresh
- 3 Ice cubes (help to give the hummus the most creamy texture)
- Parchment paper
INSTRUCTIONS.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and core the bell peppers into 3 or 4 pieces.
- On a baking sheet lay down parchment paper and then place your bell peppers skin side up on the parchment paper.
- Roast all of the peppers for 20 minutes, and then broil them for the last 5 minutes to get that black char on the skin.
- Once charred, place the peppers in a bowl and cover them with plastic wrap for 10-15 minutes to let them steam so that you can easily peel off the skin.
- Remove the wrap and tear off the black char/skin of the bell pepper. Roughly chop and set aside.
- While your red bell peppers are roasting, drain, rinse and dry the garbanzo beans.
- NOTE: if you want a more creamy hummus, peel off the outside layer of all the chickpeas. I know this is a pain, but it’s worth it!
- In a food processor or blender, add in your chickpeas, roasted bell peppers, tahini, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, Calabrian chili paste, ice cubes, salt, and pepper as well as a pinch of paprika.
- Pulse and blend completely until a smooth hummus is formed.
- Adjust with more ice cubes and/or olive oil to match the consistency of creaminess you are looking for.
- Put the hummus into a container when complete and chill for 15-20 minutes in the refrigerator to allow all the flavors to sit together and thicken a bit.
- When you’re ready to serve the hummus, scoop some in a bowl and top with a drizzle of olive oil, paprika, and a few sprigs of parsley as well as a few chickpeas (optional). Serve with your favorite veggies or crackers.
Enjoy!