The creamy, delicious brown puree known as hummus has become a staple appetizer featured on most menus in American, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern restaurants is usually served as a dip alongside pita and veggies, but where does hummus come from and how do i make chipotle hummus?

The Nature of Hummus

The origin of hummus remains unclear. In fact, there is an ongoing dispute over where hummus originated. From Israelis to Palestinians to Egyptian Arabs to Greeks and other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean nations, they all declare to be the hummus' inventors. A few historians believe hummus arose in Egypt around the 13th century Egypt, while others relate it to the word Hebrew hometz drafted in the Hebrew Bible about 3,500 years ago. The conundrum is that chickpeas were cultivated in Turkey and surrounding regions for 10,000 years, and it's very likely this led to the development of hummus.

As if the history of hummus isn't complicated enough, chickpeas were plentiful in the Middle East and are consumed in large amounts today. As a matter of fact, the term hummus translates to chickpea in Arabic. The historical record even reveals a meal, comparable to the hummus we consume now, being eaten in Cairo during the 13th century. However, when it comes to this delicious appetizer's origins, everybody claims to be the originator's hummus.

The Greeks Roots of Hummus

The Greeks bartered with Egyptians for centuries which may be why so many Greek and Arabic foods are closely related, even indistinguishable. Both cuisines feature popular dishes like stuffed grape leaves and baklava and several other dishes that traveled between the two countries and their surrounding areas.

Notwithstanding who hummus' true inventor is, hummus is a gratifying spread savored by all cultures worldwide. Hummus can be found in most western grocery stores and restaurants, making it the perfect example of how an indigenous dish may hold historical value for part of the world and be simply delicious to other parts of the world.

Variations of Hummus

Almost every hummus recipe features staple ingredients such as chickpeas, tahini or sesame paste, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Still, hummus enthusiasts are very picky when it comes to the specifics of hummus. Some prefer a smooth or fluffy consistency, while others favor chunky hummus with a little spice. Some people prefer eating hummus warm while others prefer it cold or at room temperature. Enthusiasts are also picky about their condiments. Some serve hummus with cooked chickpeas, spiced pastes, dried fava beans, chili sauce, or eat it plain.

Turkish, Greek, Israeli, and Lebanese cultures have created their own unique spin on hummus. Sometimes ice is added while blending the chickpeas, greek yogurt, cumin, or chipotle peppers, and hummus has even made its way into some desserts.

Tips For Making Hummus

Whether you are using canned or dried chickpeas, cook them! If you are using dried beans, after you soak them overnight, simmer the chickpeas in water for 2 hours until they are completely cooked and tender. If you are using canned chickpeas, simmer them on the stove for 20 minutes until they are tender. If you are worried about overcooking your chickpeas, there's no need to worry! You will yield an extra creamy hummus.
Remove the skins from the chickpeas. Although you can eat the skin chickpeas, it can affect the texture of your hummus. If you prefer a creamy hummus, soak your chickpeas in a little hot water with a little baking soda. The chickpea skins will slide right off. If you prefer a rustic hummus, you can leave the skins on. Either way, your chipotle hummus will be simply delicious.
Use a good amount of premium tahini! Tahini or sesame paste plays a vital role in creating truly authentic hummus. Tahini gives the hummus a rich and creamy texture and a hint of nutty flavor. Even though there are so many tahini brands to choose from, use tahini made from Ethiopian sesame seeds for maximum flavor.
Add an ice cube while blending your ingredients. I know what your thinking; add an ice cube to hummus? You've got to be crazy! Trust me. This trick will take your hummus to the next level. The ice will give your hummus a fluffy and super creamy texture that resembles the creaminess of freshly churned homemade ice cream.
There's no need to rush! Blend your hummus for 4 to 5 minutes until it has a smooth texture. If you are having trouble blending your chickpeas, add a little hot to the blender to achieve a creamy texture.

How to Chipotle Make Hummus

Add all of the chipotle hummus ingredients to your blender and puree until it is smooth and creamy! It's as simple as that!
Next, spread your hummus into a serving dish and drizzle it with premium quality olive oil and a few chickpeas to the center.
Next comes the most enjoyable part, you get to eat your chipotle hummus. You get to enjoy your chipotle hummus with warm pita and your favorite vegetables.

Can I Freeze My Chipotle Hummus?

Of course, you can freeze your chipotle hummus! With a few tips on preventing spoilage, freezing hummus is as simple as freezing any other food.

Freeze your chipotle hummus into a sealed, freezer-safe container. Note, you do not want to fill your container all the way up to the top with hummus; the hummus will increase as it freezes. Additionally, you can also place your hummus into small containers so you'll have the perfect portion for a snack or sandwich.

When the craving hits for chipotle hummus, you can thaw it in the fridge the day before using it. Upon removing the lid from the container, a little pool of liquid may have formed on the hummus's surface; however, this is normal. Your hummus has separated, but this can easily be fixed by stirring your hummus well. Although you can eat your hummus as it is, you can microwave it for a couple of seconds. This will also improve the hummus' texture.

Chipotle Hummus

Author: Jordan Cord
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 cup 1x

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup chickpeas (canned, drained, and rinsed)
1 chipotle pepper (canned, in adobo sauce)
¼ cup olive oil
½ teaspoon sea salt
juice of ½ lemon

Instructions

Add all ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth.

Prep Time: 5 mins
Category: Appetizer

Nutrition

Calories: 348
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 886 mg
Fat: 25 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 23 g
Fiber: 8 g
Protein: 6 g