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A white bowl of creamy hummus topped with olive oil and paprika, garnished with fresh parsley and whole chickpeas, served alongside grilled pita bread wedges.

Authentic Hummus Topped with Olive Oil and Paprika

An ultra-creamy, authentic Mediterranean hummus whipped to perfection with premium tahini, fresh lemon juice, and ice water. Elegantly plated with a deep swirling well filled with rich extra virgin olive oil, sweet paprika, whole chickpeas, and fresh parsley. Perfect for serving with warm grilled pita bread.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Mezze, Side Dish
Cuisine: Greek, Middle Eastern
Calories: 180

Ingredients
  

For the Hummus:
  • - 1 can 15 oz chickpeas, drained and rinsed (reserve 5-6 whole chickpeas for garnish)
  • - 1/3 cup high-quality tahini sesame paste
  • - 3 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • - 2 small garlic cloves minced
  • - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • - 2 to 3 tbsp ice water
  • - 1/2 tsp salt adjust to taste
  • - 1/4 tsp ground cumin
For the Toppings:
  • - 1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
  • - 1 tsp sweet paprika or sumac for dusting
  • - 1 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
  • - 5-6 reserved whole chickpeas

Method
 

Blend Tahini and Lemon:
  1. Add the premium tahini and fresh lemon juice to the bowl of a food processor. Process for 1 full minute until the mixture becomes pale, thick, and perfectly creamy.
Add Oil and Aromatics:
  1. Scrape down the sides of the processor bowl. Add the 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and ground cumin. Process for another 30 seconds until completely integrated.
Incorporate Chickpeas:
  1. Add half of the drained chickpeas to the mixture. Process for 1 minute. Add the remaining half of the chickpeas and process until the dip becomes very thick and smooth.
Thin with Ice Water:
  1. While the food processor is running continuously, slowly drizzle in the ice water one tablespoon at a time through the feed tube. Continue blending until the texture turns ultra-creamy, light, and airy.
Plate and Garnish:
  1. Spoon the smooth hummus into a shallow serving bowl. Use the back of a large spoon to create a beautiful, concentric swirling well. Drizzle your topping olive oil generously into the grooves. Dust with sweet paprika, scatter the finely chopped fresh parsley, and place the reserved whole chickpeas right in the center. Serve immediately alongside warm grilled pita bread.

Notes

- Chef's Ultra-Creamy Secret: For an even smoother texture, simmer your canned chickpeas in a small saucepan covered with water and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda for 10 minutes before starting the recipe. Rinse with cold water, then proceed to Step 1.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Revive leftovers with a tiny drop of warm water and a vigorous stir.