Turkish hummus has its own distinctive characteristics - it's typically smoother, lighter, and often served with unique toppings that set it apart from other Middle Eastern versions.
Ingredients
For the Hummus:
- 1 cup dried chickpeas (or 2 cans/400g cooked chickpeas)
- 1/4 cup tahini (sesame paste)
- 3-4 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 1/2 tsp baking soda (if using dried chickpeas)
- Ice water as needed for consistency
For Turkish-Style Toppings:
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Turkish red pepper flakes (pul biber)
- 1/2 tsp sweet paprika
- 2 tbsp pine nuts, lightly toasted
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp pomegranate seeds (optional)
- A few whole chickpeas for garnish
For Serving:
- Turkish pide bread or pita bread
- Fresh vegetables (cucumber, tomatoes, radishes)
- Turkish pickles (turÅŸu)
Instructions
Preparing Chickpeas from Scratch (Recommended):
- Soak: Place dried chickpeas in a large bowl with plenty of water. Soak overnight (8-12 hours).
- Cook: Drain and rinse soaked chickpeas. Place in a pot with fresh water covering by 2 inches.
- Add baking soda: Add 1/2 tsp baking soda to help soften the skins.
- Boil: Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1-2 hours until very soft and falling apart.
- Skim: Remove any foam and loose skins that float to the surface.
- Reserve liquid: Save 1 cup of cooking liquid before draining.
Making the Hummus:
- Prepare garlic: Crush garlic cloves with the flat side of a knife, then mince finely.
- Blend garlic and lemon: In a food processor, blend garlic with lemon juice for 1 minute until smooth.
- Add tahini: Add tahini and blend for another minute until creamy.
- Add chickpeas: Add the cooked, warm chickpeas and blend for 2-3 minutes.
- Season: Add salt, cumin, and white pepper. Blend again.
- Adjust consistency: With processor running, slowly add ice water or reserved cooking liquid until you reach desired smoothness.
- Taste and adjust: Check seasoning and add more lemon juice, salt, or garlic as needed.
- Final blend: Process for 3-4 minutes total until very smooth and creamy.
Turkish-Style Presentation:
- Spread: Transfer hummus to a serving plate and use the back of a spoon to create a shallow well in the center.
- Oil drizzle: Drizzle olive oil generously over the surface and in the center well.
- Spice garnish: Sprinkle red pepper flakes and paprika over the oil.
- Add toppings: Scatter toasted pine nuts, chopped parsley, and pomegranate seeds.
- Final touches: Place a few whole cooked chickpeas around the edge as garnish.
Turkish Variations
Hummus with Pastırma (Turkish Pastrami):
- Top with thin slices of Turkish pastırma
- Drizzle with extra olive oil and sprinkle with oregano
Hummus with Sucuk:
- Sauté thin slices of Turkish sucuk (spiced sausage) until crispy
- Place on top of hummus with their rendered oil
Hummus with Roasted Vegetables:
- Top with roasted red peppers, eggplant, or zucchini
- Popular in Turkish meyhanes (taverns)
Pro Tips for Perfect Turkish Hummus:
For Ultra-Smooth Texture:
- Cook chickpeas until they're falling apart
- Remove as many skins as possible during cooking
- Use warm chickpeas when blending
- Blend for at least 3-4 minutes total
- Add ice water gradually for perfect consistency
Flavor Enhancement:
- Toast your own sesame seeds and make fresh tahini
- Use good quality extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
- Let hummus sit for 30 minutes before serving for flavors to meld
- Serve at room temperature, not cold
Storage:
- Refrigerate covered for up to 5 days
- Bring to room temperature before serving
- Refresh with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice
Traditional Turkish Serving Style:
As Meze:
- Serve in small individual bowls
- Accompany with fresh Turkish bread (pide)
- Include pickled vegetables and olives
- Part of a larger meze spread
As a Main:
- Serve in a large shallow bowl
- Top with warm spiced ground meat
- Accompany with grilled vegetables
- Serve with Turkish tea or ayran
Nutritional Benefits:
- High in plant protein and fiber
- Rich in folate and manganese
- Good source of healthy fats from tahini and olive oil
- Naturally vegan and gluten-free
Shopping Tips:
- Turkish red pepper flakes (pul biber): Available at Turkish markets or online
- Quality tahini: Look for pure sesame paste without additives
- Turkish olive oil: Has a distinctive flavor, but any good extra virgin works
- Pine nuts: Buy from stores with high turnover to ensure freshness
Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus overnight soaking)
Cook Time: 1-2 hours (for chickpeas)
Total Time: 2.5 hours
Serves: 6-8 as meze
Afiyet olsun! This Turkish hummus will be the star of your meze table!
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