I brought some hummus with a crudite plate to a party recently. Admittedly I made the hummus thinking no one would be too excited so I’d have plenty of leftovers to take as lunch for the upcoming work week. Well, I was very wrong about how my hummus would be received. SO while it is flattering to have a very empty dish, there’s no more hummus for the week!

The good news it that I can make more very easily. And I figured out what was so good about my hummus and I can share it with you!

During the party people kept asking what my secret was. I told them that I just follow a basic recipe. In this recipe I used standard tahini, garlic, salt, and pepper. After discussing ingredients, tips and tricks, I soon realized the difference was that no one was roasting their chickpeas before blending! For me, roasting chickpeas goes without saying. Early on I discovered I prefered them roasted in the oven before adding them pasta and veggie dishes. Honestly I did not know there was another way. You see when chickpeas are roasted they take on a completely different texture. The centers transform into softer, creamer bites of salty buttery joy.

Roasting them before hand elevate the hummus texture and flavor profile significantly. I can not imagine making a hummus without first roasting the chickpeas— and it is so easy to do!!! All you need are the chickpeas, a pan with foil, a mister bottle filled with your oil of choice, the seasoning, and ten minutes!

Ingredients

• 12 oz chickpeas (if not canned, then pre-cooked and soaked)
• seasonings like salt, pepper, cayenne, herbs, etc,
• oil for spraying

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Evenly spread the chickpeas on a foil lined pan.
3. Now mist with the oil, sprinkle on the seasoning and stir them up.
4. Then mist, season, stir and spread evenly once more.
5. Once the oven is hot place the pan inside for about 5 minutes before checking for doneness. They should not need to cook for more than 8 minutes.
6. Then incorporate them into your favorite hummus recipe! Mine uses the chickpeas, a quarter cup of tahini, a tablespoon of olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste.
7. Blend and enjoy!