Claudia Roden's Hummus Bi Tahina Chickpea and Sesame Dip

Experience the timeless flavors of the Middle East with Claudia Roden’s Hummus Bi Tahina, a luxuriously creamy chickpea and sesame dip that’s bursting with authenticity. This recipe begins with dried chickpeas, soaked and simmered to perfection, ensuring a velvety base that’s infused with earthy tahini, zesty lemon juice, and a hint of garlic. The technique of blending with ice-cold water creates an irresistibly light, pillowy texture, while a sprinkle of ground cumin adds gentle warmth. Garnished with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, vibrant paprika, and fresh parsley, this classic hummus is as visually stunning as it is delicious. Perfect for dipping warm pita bread, pairing with crisp vegetable sticks, or featuring in a mezze platter, this wholesome recipe is an essential addition to any spread. Quick to prepare yet rich in flavor, it's a dish that turns everyday ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 250 grams dried chickpeas
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 120 grams tahini
• 2 garlic cloves
• 4 tablespoons lemon juice
• 4 tablespoons ice-cold water
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika (optional, for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Soak the dried chickpeas overnight in a large bowl with plenty of water to ensure they double in size.

Step 2

Drain the soaked chickpeas and place them in a large pot. Add water to cover the chickpeas by about 2 inches and stir in the baking soda. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for approximately 45-60 minutes, or until the chickpeas are very soft and nearly falling apart.

Step 3

Drain the cooked chickpeas, reserving about 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Set aside a small handful of chickpeas for garnishing (optional).

Step 4

In a food processor, combine the boiled chickpeas, tahini, garlic cloves, lemon juice, salt, and ground cumin. Blend until smooth, scraping the sides of the food processor as needed.

Step 5

While the food processor is running, slowly drizzle in the ice-cold water, one tablespoon at a time, to achieve a light and creamy consistency. If the mixture is too thick, you can also add some reserved chickpea cooking liquid.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more salt, lemon juice, or cumin as desired.

Step 7

Transfer the hummus to a serving dish. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and garnish with paprika, fresh parsley, and the reserved whole chickpeas, if desired.

Step 8

Serve with warm pita bread, vegetable sticks, or as part of a mezze platter.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(540.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1997.8

Total Fat 116.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 17.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3813.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 177.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 57.7g	0%
Total Sugars 29.3g
Protein 74.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 9549.7mg	0%
Iron 42874.3mg	0%
Potassium 2825.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.0%

Protein: 14.4%

Carbs: 34.6%