Middle Eastern Hummus
- 3 cups dry garbanzo beans (soaked overnight)
- 1 pinch baking soda (Optional)
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¾ cup tahini paste
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (or more to taste)
- 1 large clove garlic (minced, or more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling)
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Rinse the garbanzo beans and and place in a pot. Fill with enough water to cover by at least 1 inch. Add baking soda, if using.
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Bring to a boil and then simmer over medium heat until the beans are very soft, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
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Drain the beans, reserving some of the water to use later. Reserve a small handful of the whole beans for a garnish.
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Transfer the rest to a blender or if you have a hand blender, a large bowl. Blend the beans until smooth, adding 1/2 cup of olive oil gradually.
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Add some of the reserved water if needed to help it blend. Add the tahini and blend in along with the lemon juice.
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Blend in the garlic, cumin and salt.
- Spread the hummus into a flat serving dish and garnish with the reserved beans and a drizzle of olive oil.

