Things to do with hummus
December 26, 2013 9:16 AM Subscribe
What interesting (food) things do you make with hummus? Sandwich combinations? Other ideas?
Every now and then, smooth pre-made hummus is deeply discounted. When that happens, I buy it. I dip pretzels into it, or raw vegetables. I put it in pita with raw cucumbers. But surely there must be more I can do to add novelty to my hummus experience.
I'm open to "authentic" foods and also to the strange concoctions you've made that nobody else would recognize.
Bonus points for things that include feta cheese, because that's on sale this week also.
Every now and then, smooth pre-made hummus is deeply discounted. When that happens, I buy it. I dip pretzels into it, or raw vegetables. I put it in pita with raw cucumbers. But surely there must be more I can do to add novelty to my hummus experience.
I'm open to "authentic" foods and also to the strange concoctions you've made that nobody else would recognize.
Bonus points for things that include feta cheese, because that's on sale this week also.
I love making turkey and hummus sandwiches. Extra points for fancy bread!
posted by brilliantine at 9:21 AM on December 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by brilliantine at 9:21 AM on December 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
This BON APPÉTIT link has some terrific ideas, including dressings and sauces.
posted by mochapickle at 9:22 AM on December 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by mochapickle at 9:22 AM on December 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Falafel!
Vegetarian, delicious and full of chick pea goodness!
I buy the mixes, easy and delicious.
Once you've got your falafel patties, do this.
Get big pita bread, make sure it's fresh and easy to bend. Spread hummus on the pita, then hold the pita in your hand, like a taco.
Add in the hot falafels.
Put some chili garlic sauce or Siracha on the falafels then some Tahini, you can make it yourself, or buy it. then some shredded lettuce, tomato slices and diced cucumber. Top with Tzaztiki.
I don't know what it is about this, but MAN is Falafel delicious! Messy, but delicious!
Sit down and put a bib of napkins on, but you will LOVE this!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 9:34 AM on December 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
Vegetarian, delicious and full of chick pea goodness!
I buy the mixes, easy and delicious.
Once you've got your falafel patties, do this.
Get big pita bread, make sure it's fresh and easy to bend. Spread hummus on the pita, then hold the pita in your hand, like a taco.
Add in the hot falafels.
Put some chili garlic sauce or Siracha on the falafels then some Tahini, you can make it yourself, or buy it. then some shredded lettuce, tomato slices and diced cucumber. Top with Tzaztiki.
I don't know what it is about this, but MAN is Falafel delicious! Messy, but delicious!
Sit down and put a bib of napkins on, but you will LOVE this!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 9:34 AM on December 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
Add flavors to it! I like Sriracha, and things like black olives would be good too.
posted by cestmoi15 at 9:46 AM on December 26, 2013
posted by cestmoi15 at 9:46 AM on December 26, 2013
I especially enjoy hummus warmed up – not steaming hot, just warm – and topped with something savory. Balsamic dressing is my favorite, and I often make a meal of it: a big dish of salad greens topped with a fat scoop of warm hummus. I make a small divot with a spoon, then pour in balsamic dressing (or just balsamic vinegar and olive oil with salt and pepper).
You can also treat hummus like mashed potatoes or polenta or any other pulse: serve them as a side dish to a saucy main course. Roasted lamb or chicken, a green vegetable, and a big spoonful of mild hummus topped with the pan juices? Mmmm.
Hummus is also one of my go-to dishes to gussy up for guests. Sometimes I layer it with red pepper spread or pesto or guacamole or tapenade, then serve with pita or crackers or French bread and crudités. Of those, my favorite is hummus and romesco sauce (which sounds fancy but it easy to make, especially if you have an immersion blender). Most of these (but not pesto, usually, and for romesco you have to double-check the bread ingredients) are vegan, which is extra-handy for guests who eat vegan or dairy-free.
Favorite hummus sandwiches:
- hummus and romesco with spinach
- hummus and avocado, other vegetables optional
- hummus and tapenade with tomato
And I agree heartily with the suggestion above to thin it out to serve as a sauce or salad dressing. It's a great way to make lightweight salads more satisfying and is delicious drizzled over warm roasted vegetables.
posted by Elsa at 9:47 AM on December 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
You can also treat hummus like mashed potatoes or polenta or any other pulse: serve them as a side dish to a saucy main course. Roasted lamb or chicken, a green vegetable, and a big spoonful of mild hummus topped with the pan juices? Mmmm.
Hummus is also one of my go-to dishes to gussy up for guests. Sometimes I layer it with red pepper spread or pesto or guacamole or tapenade, then serve with pita or crackers or French bread and crudités. Of those, my favorite is hummus and romesco sauce (which sounds fancy but it easy to make, especially if you have an immersion blender). Most of these (but not pesto, usually, and for romesco you have to double-check the bread ingredients) are vegan, which is extra-handy for guests who eat vegan or dairy-free.
Favorite hummus sandwiches:
- hummus and romesco with spinach
- hummus and avocado, other vegetables optional
- hummus and tapenade with tomato
And I agree heartily with the suggestion above to thin it out to serve as a sauce or salad dressing. It's a great way to make lightweight salads more satisfying and is delicious drizzled over warm roasted vegetables.
posted by Elsa at 9:47 AM on December 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
With sliced hard-boiled eggs, on pita.
posted by wyzewoman at 10:05 AM on December 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by wyzewoman at 10:05 AM on December 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
- hummus + ajvar, added to a freshly poached egg on brown rice or roasted root vegetables (like a seriously hippie fusion benedict, without the butter!)
- also anytime I make my standard breakfast, it's a poached egg on some kind of veg or starch, topped with hummus. Awesome!
- hummus + mayonnaise on toast points or meat sammich
- hummus + wasabi mayonnaise on same, or on rice crackers (my favorite way to inhale hummus)
-add to mexican-style simple huevos ranchero - grilled corn tortillas (I grill on my stove's electric burner), poached egg, salsa, avocado, and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast
posted by ArgyleGargoyle at 10:10 AM on December 26, 2013
- also anytime I make my standard breakfast, it's a poached egg on some kind of veg or starch, topped with hummus. Awesome!
- hummus + mayonnaise on toast points or meat sammich
- hummus + wasabi mayonnaise on same, or on rice crackers (my favorite way to inhale hummus)
-add to mexican-style simple huevos ranchero - grilled corn tortillas (I grill on my stove's electric burner), poached egg, salsa, avocado, and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast
posted by ArgyleGargoyle at 10:10 AM on December 26, 2013
As far as ways to vary plain hummus, here are some of the listings from the table of contents for Hummus: The Ultimate Recipe Guide – over 30 Delicious & Best-Selling Recipes (the directions for all are basically "put all ingredients in food processor and process until smooth"):
Hummus with…And a few from A Love Affair With Hummus: Classic and Delicious Hummus Recipes
- red beets
- roasted red peppers
- dried tomatoes and basil
- black beans
- avocado and lime
- artichokes
- chipotle peppers
- honey
- cucumber and dill
- sweet potatoes
- roasted garlic
- lentils and Parmesan cheese
- roasted pumpkin
- ginger and lemon
- walnuts and coriander
- roasted cauliflower
posted by Lexica at 10:11 AM on December 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
- lemon garlic hummus
- Spanish cilantro hummus
- jalapeño hummus
- spinach and feta hummus
Bonus points for things that include feta cheese, because that's on sale this week also.
Oh, how did I leave this out: all the things I describe above are twice as delicious with crumbled feta added. Warm hummus with softening bits of feta, all topped with warm balsamic dressing and set atop crispy-cold greens? Incredible. You'll be astonished at the tangle of flavors and textures from such a simple combination. A serving of feta-laced warm hummus as a side dish, maybe topped with pan juices? Delicious. A chicken salad or egg salad with a good helping of feta chunks, and with lemon-thinned hummus in place of the mayonnaise? Perfect on its own, as a salad topping, or in a sandwich. Hummus, feta, and [red pepper spread/ tapenade/ guac] layered as a dip or spread for crackers? A knockout. Those sandwiches? Only improved with a slab of feta or a bit of feta crumbled into them.
posted by Elsa at 10:16 AM on December 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Oh, how did I leave this out: all the things I describe above are twice as delicious with crumbled feta added. Warm hummus with softening bits of feta, all topped with warm balsamic dressing and set atop crispy-cold greens? Incredible. You'll be astonished at the tangle of flavors and textures from such a simple combination. A serving of feta-laced warm hummus as a side dish, maybe topped with pan juices? Delicious. A chicken salad or egg salad with a good helping of feta chunks, and with lemon-thinned hummus in place of the mayonnaise? Perfect on its own, as a salad topping, or in a sandwich. Hummus, feta, and [red pepper spread/ tapenade/ guac] layered as a dip or spread for crackers? A knockout. Those sandwiches? Only improved with a slab of feta or a bit of feta crumbled into them.
posted by Elsa at 10:16 AM on December 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
One way to dress up hummus for dipping is to put a little feta cheese on top. Adds just enough zing to keep it interesting. We make a meal out of hummus/feta dipped with broccoli, carrots, red pepper slivers, and bits of rosemary pita toasted in teh oven.
posted by notsnot at 10:17 AM on December 26, 2013
posted by notsnot at 10:17 AM on December 26, 2013
I love hummus. I usually make the base variety (chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt). I dip veggies and bread in it, I make sandwiches with it, etc. I'm really looking forward to the other suggestions here.
One thing I will say: I've recently found that a few good cranks of fresh ground peppercorn takes it from yum to OMG amazing.
posted by Elly Vortex at 10:40 AM on December 26, 2013
One thing I will say: I've recently found that a few good cranks of fresh ground peppercorn takes it from yum to OMG amazing.
posted by Elly Vortex at 10:40 AM on December 26, 2013
This hummus-stuffed chicken is delish, and would be awesome with feta inside.
posted by kelseyq at 10:53 AM on December 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by kelseyq at 10:53 AM on December 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
hummus, browned tempeh, thinly-spiced cucumber, a leaf or two of romaine, some wakame, and siracha. wrap in a warmed tortilla. slurp!
posted by fingers_of_fire at 11:31 AM on December 26, 2013
posted by fingers_of_fire at 11:31 AM on December 26, 2013
"Staff of Life" is an open-faced hummus-based sandwich, and it is delicious comfort food. Take a whole pita and top it with a big dollop of hummus (spread it around almost as though it's sauce on a pizza), sprinkle sunflower seeds over it, put a slice or three of tomato over that, then top with cheese and warm/toast in the oven until it's melty and crispy.
posted by ourobouros at 1:20 PM on December 26, 2013
posted by ourobouros at 1:20 PM on December 26, 2013
One of my favorite sandwich 'spreads' is a combo of regular hummus, edamamae hummus, avocado and a nice 'zippy' mustard. :9
posted by stubbehtail at 2:05 PM on December 26, 2013
posted by stubbehtail at 2:05 PM on December 26, 2013
I make vegetarian pita sandwiches for my daughter: spread hummus inside a pita, put a piece of cheese in there, then stuff it with sliced vegetables of whatever type you have in the fridge: bell peppers (all/any colors), mushrooms, avocado, onions (raw, grilled or caramelized), snap peas, broccoli bits, thin-sliced carrots, spinach leaves, etc. Drizzle some dressing on it if you like it a little moister.
I also make an appetizer which is pita cut into 8 slices, top with hummus and then with caramelized onions.
posted by CathyG at 9:02 PM on December 26, 2013
I also make an appetizer which is pita cut into 8 slices, top with hummus and then with caramelized onions.
posted by CathyG at 9:02 PM on December 26, 2013
Add a few spoonfuls to soups and stews as a flavorful thickener. It's nice with chicken/tofu and greens.
posted by judith at 4:46 AM on December 27, 2013
posted by judith at 4:46 AM on December 27, 2013
judith, you can also straight up make soup out of hummus. Dilute with hot chicken or veg stock until you've reached your ideal texture. It's amazing on a cold winter night.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 11:33 AM on December 27, 2013
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 11:33 AM on December 27, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
Hummus dressing-- thin with olive oil and add in herbs and lemon juice to taste.
posted by jetlagaddict at 9:20 AM on December 26, 2013 [1 favorite]