With Purim behind us, Passover is less than a month away, but I’m not quite ready to dive into Passover recipes yet. Since many of us are trying to use up pantry items before the holiday, I figured this would be the perfect time for a hummus recipe. Who doesn’t have an errant can or two or chickpeas in their pantry?

Yes, I once vociferously stated that I would never again attempt making hummus (no, I cannot currently locate that post) but … it seems I now have to swallow my words. I still maintain that I will never again attempt hummus from dry chickpeas (which grew and swelled and took over my kitchen), but the canned version is surprisingly easy and tasty.

I have deliberately not included cumin in mine, but you can certainly add some to yours.

Ingredients

  • 1 15-oz (425 grams) can chickpeas
  • ⅓ cup tahini paste
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ tbsp sweet paprika
  • 2 tsp sumac
  • Juice of 2 lemons
  • 2-3 tbsp water
  • Salt, to taste

Directions

  1. Open and drain the can of chickpeas. Rinse the chickpeas well, and pick off the outer skins. (You can skip this step - it is annoying and time-consuming - but your end product will be less smoothe.)
  2. Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender or food processor, and process until smooth.
  3. Serve garnished with paprika and/or parsley.
Yields: Approximately 1 ½ cups hummus