The humble chickpea is the star of a dish eaten daily in countries across the Mediterranean: Hummus. Hummus recipes combine pureed chickpeas, tahini (sesame paste), lemon juice, garlic, salt, and olive oil to create a memorable dip that is high in protein and fiber. Think of hummus when you need an easy party dip with crudités or pita bread, a spread for sandwiches, or a filler for tacos.

Your homemade hummus will taste fresher using the Vitamix machine because you can add the sesame seeds directly with the other ingredients, rather than using pre-ground seeds in the form of tahini.

Hummus can be used in a variety of dishes, so it’s fun to play with different flavor profiles by adding herbs and spices to basic the recipe. Just remember, the Vitamix blender intensifies the flavor of herbs and spices. Add less of them at first; you can always add more until you have just the taste you crave.

Here are a few simple, yet flavorful hummus recipes to get you started:

How to Make Homemade Hummus

Basic Hummus

Our version of this Middle-Eastern dip contains chickpeas, garlic, and raw sesame seeds. It's traditionally served with flatbread, but crackers and tortilla chips are great, too.

Ingredients

  • 2 cans (900 g) chickpeas, liquid reserved from 1 can
  • ¼ cup (35 g) sesame seeds
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove, peeled
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. Place chickpeas, liquid from 1 can of chickpeas, sesame seeds, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and cumin into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
  2. Select Variable 1.
  3. Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
  4. Blend 1 minute, using the tamper to push the ingredients into the blades.
  5. Season to taste with salt.

Nutritional facts and reviews

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Chef Steve Schimoler created this spin on classic hummus with the addition of sweet roasted red pepper for flavor and color.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (120 ml) water
  • 6 ounces (170 g) roasted red pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup (120 ml) tahini
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 3 cups (720 g) canned chickpeas, rinsed, drained
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

 

  1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
  2. Select Variable 1.
  3. Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
  4. Blend for 1 minute using the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades, or until smooth. Add additional water if necessary to keep mixture flowing freely through blades.

Nutritional facts and reviews

>Spicy Hummus

Spice up your hummus with your favorite hot sauce. Just remember, the heat level you choose will be intensified in the Vitamix.

Ingredients

 

  • 15 ounces (425 g) canned chickpeas, rinsed, drained
  • 15 ounces (425 g) canned chickpeas, with liquid
  • 2 Tablespoons hot sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove, peeled
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

 

  1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
  2. Select Variable 1.
  3. Turn machine on and slowly increase to the highest speed.
  4. Blend for 1 minute or until smooth, using the tamper to push the ingredients into the blades.

Nutritional facts and reviews