Frugal Vegan: Hummus 101

As a frugal vegan, I’m always shaking my head that so many people are willing to spend so money on overpriced, premade hummus in supermarkets and restaurants!

In Charlotte, Harris Teeter store brand hummus is $4 and a name brand of hummus (Sabra) is $5.

At restaurants like Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, a hummus appetizer is $6.95.

Yet you can purchase a can of organic chickpeas for under $1, a can of non-organic chickpeas for $.67, and a one pound bag of dried chickpeas for just over a dollar. You’ll have to make a small investment for a bottle of tahini (about $6 or $7), but keep that bottle refrigerated and it will last a long, long time. Anything else you fling into hummus is likely to be stuff you have sitting around your kitchen, anyway – a squeeze of lemon, a clove of garlic.

And … making your own hummus is fast. (Prep and cleanup, 10 minutes max.) Just give it a little refrigerator time to chill.

And … it’s easy.

And … it tastes sooo much better than store bought.

And … it’s a perfect outlet for culinary creativity. Learn a good base hummus recipe first. Then start tinkering with it. Add a hot pepper. Add some green olives. Or some black olives. Add that little bit of fresh parsley or basil you have leftover from another recipe. Add a little curry powder, garam masala, or smoked paprika. Come up with your own trademark hummus to take to parties. (I make a killer chipotle hummus and a beyond awesome curried jalapeno hummus. Recipes to follow soon.) You can even experiment with different beans – such as white beans or black beans.

Mind, I’m not saying NEVER purchase hummus.  When traveling and looking for something – anything! – vegan to eat, those little plastic containers of pureed chickpeas are a cause for major celebration. And you may still want to buy some specialty flavors of hummus – such as Roots Thai Coconut Curry!  And the hummus from a good Middle Eastern or Greek deli – Yep, I will buy that! But as a frugal vegan, you owe it to yourself to give homemade hummus a whirl!

Here is my can’t-fail base hummus recipe.

Ingredients for Can’t Fail Hummus:

1 Can Chickpeas, rinsed and drained (usually about 15 – 16 oz.) OR about 1 1/2 cups Cooked Chickpeas

1/4 of a Medium Onion, finely chopped

1 Scant Teaspoon Ground Cumin

1/4 Teaspoon Red Chili Powder

1/4 – 1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt

1/4 Cup Lemon Juice

1/8 Cup Olive Oil

1/8 Cup Tahini Paste

1 Small Garlic Clove, minced, OR 1/2 Teaspoon dried Minced/Granulated Garlic

Water as needed

Plain Paprika (optional)

Directions for Can’t-Fail Hummus

Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor. (A blender will get it creamier but a food processor will work just fine.) Blend/process.

Add a spoonful or two of water until you get the creaminess you want. (If you cook your chickpeas from dried, reserve a few spoonfuls of the cooking liquid and use that instead. Just please do not use the nasty liquid from canned beans.)

Chill for at least one hour in the refrigerator.

Garnish with a sprinkle of paprika, if desired. This is optional; it just makes your hummus look pretty if you are serving it as a dip.

Could this BE any easier?

Notes:

The easiest way to liven up your hummus dip if you’re unsure about changing the base recipe? Put the hummus in a bowl and scoop a small well in the center. Fill with chopped green olives or chopped black olives (kalamatas are nice) or chopped drained pimientos (tastes similar to roasted red pepper, but usually cheaper). Swirl slightly before serving.

Traditionally hummus is served with pita chips, but pretzels and even thin toast work well. For gluten-free snacking, opt for a range of raw veggies like carrots, celery, sliced bell pepper, and small cherry tomatoes. It’s also good with gluten-free crackers.

Tagged as: easy vegan recipes, frugal, gluten free, hummus, vegan, vegetarian

Categorised in: Appetizers, Frugal Vegan, Vegan Recipes