Extra Special Hummus Recipes

Steps:

• You can make extra-creamy hummus using chickpea flour instead of whole chickpeas. (Look for the flour at specialty and health-food stores.) Simmer 2 3/4 cups salted water. Whisk in 3/4 cup chickpea flour to make a paste and cook 2 minutes. Puree with 1/4 cup tahini, 3 tablespoons olive oil and the zest and juice of 1 lemon. Toast 1/4 teaspoon each cumin and fennel seeds in a skillet; add some red pepper flakes and 2 tablespoons olive oil and cook 30 seconds. Serve warm, drizzled with the spiced oil and topped with parsley.

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor combine garbanzo beans, garlic, cumin, salt and olive oil. Blend on low speed, gradually adding reserved bean liquid, until desired consistency is achieved.

Steps:

• Drain the chickpeas over a bowl to catch the liquid. Tip the chickpeas into a blender or food processor and blitz with the garlic, tahini, olive oil, lemon and a generous pinch of sea salt. With the motor running, trickle in half the chickpea water to create a smooth, creamy mixture. Season again with a little more lemon juice or salt, if you like. Will keep chilled for up to to two days.
• Spoon and swirl the hummus into a shallow bowl. Scatter with the chopped pistachios, pomegranate and sesame seeds, chilli flakes and herbs. Drizzle with a little olive oil. Serve with flatbreads and crudités.