Pesto Hummus Recipe

The Ultimate Guide to Crafting the Perfect Pesto Hummus Recipe

Hummus, a beloved Middle Eastern dip made from chickpeas, has found a place in kitchens and hearts around the world. Its creamy texture and rich, nutty flavor make it a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of foods.
Pesto, a classic Italian sauce, adds a fresh, herby twist to traditional hummus. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the art of making Pesto Hummus Recipe. With detailed instructions, tips, and variations, this article will equip you with everything you need to create a delicious Pesto Hummus in your own kitchen.

Introduction to Pesto Hummus Recipe

What is Hummus?

Hummus is a pasty mixture traditionally prepared from cooked and puréed chickpeas mixed with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. It’s common in foods of the Middle Eastern region and is commonly used globally due to its nutritional value and uses.

What is Pesto?

Pesto is one of the traditional Italian sauces that originated from Genoa; which is constituted from fresh living basil leaves, grated Parasin, cheese, crushed garlic, and oil, and newly added pine nuts. It is vivid green in color and has a rather pleasant, spicy taste.

What is Pesto Hummus Recipe?

Pesto Hummus is a creation of integrating two basic dishes, with pesto is given the main role as the base for the hummus. This combination gives a creat and gooey texture that gives it the qualities of a dip which can be served in many ways.

Ingredients for Pesto Hummus Recipe

For the Hummus Base

• Chickpeas: 1 can (15 ounces), drained and rinsed, or 1.5 cups of cooked chickpeas
• Tahini: 1/4 cup
• Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons, freshly squeezed
• Garlic: 1-2 cloves, minced
• Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
• Cumin: 1/2 teaspoon (optional)
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
• Water: 2-4 tablespoons (as needed for consistency)

For the Pesto

• Fresh Basil Leaves: 2 cups, packed
• Pine Nuts: 1/4 cup (can substitute walnuts or almonds)
• Garlic: 2 cloves
• Parmesan Cheese: 1/4 cup, grated (optional for a vegan version)
• Olive Oil: 1/4 cup
• Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon
• Salt: 1/4 teaspoon

Step-by-Step Recipe Instructions

1. Prepare the Chickpeas

1. If using canned chickpeas, drain and rinse them thoroughly to remove any excess sodium.
2. For a smoother texture, you can remove the skins by gently rubbing the chickpeas with a clean kitchen towel. This step is optional but recommended for an ultra-creamy hummus.

2. Make the Hummus Base

1. In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, cumin (if using), and salt.
2. Process until the mixture is smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
3. Add water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. The hummus should be smooth and spreadable but not too runny.

3. Make the Pesto

1. In a separate food processor or blender, combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese (if using), lemon juice, and salt.
2. Pulse until the ingredients are finely chopped.
3. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto is smooth and well combined. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides a few times to ensure everything is well mixed.

4. Combine the Hummus and Pesto

1. Add the prepared pesto to the hummus base in the food processor.
2. Process until the pesto is fully incorporated into the hummus, creating a vibrant green, creamy dip.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. You can add more salt, lemon juice, or olive oil to suit your taste.

5. Serve and Enjoy

1. Transfer the Pesto Hummus to a serving bowl.
2. Drizzle with a little olive oil and garnish with additional basil leaves, pine nuts, or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.
3. Serve with pita bread, fresh vegetables, crackers, or as a spread for sandwiches and wraps.

Read more:

Hummus Ina Garten Recipe

Technique and Hints for the Merely Excellent Pesto Hummus Recipe

1. Quality Ingredients

It is highly recommended and suggested that you use fresh, high quality ingredients when preparing your Pesto Hummus. Oh yes, fresh torn basil, good extra virgin olive oil and quality tahini should be used.

2. Smooth Texture

In case you would like to achieve the silkiest hummus, you can try to remove skin from chickpeas. By stretching the dough a little extra, this can make a very big difference in the texture.

3. Adjust to Taste

Opting for a certain kind of meat will definitely create a distinct taste and so are other ingredients therefore one can choose his or her desired kind of meat among other products. If you prefer a much stronger garlic taste, then you can increase the amount of garlic cloves to what you desire. To obtain a pesto that is more rich with nuts, it can be added more pine nuts.

4. Make Ahead

Pesto Hummus can actually prepared in advance and even stored in the refrigerator until almost a week. The taste, on average, gets even better as soon as, at least, 24 hours later, making it a good candidate for meal prep.

5. Variations

Incorporate other nuts in the pesto like, walnuts, almonds, blanch, then blend, and incorporate a handful or spinach, arugula, etc.