Description
Mediterranean flavors elevate this Greek-Style Loaded Hummus into a culinary masterpiece. Creamy chickpea base combines with zesty toppings, creating a delightful appetizer you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 can (400 g / 14 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 tbsps tahini
- 2 tbsps olive oil (for hummus base)
- 2 tbsps lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 23 tbsps water (to adjust consistency)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp cumin (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, diced
- ½ cup cucumber, diced
- ¼ cup Kalamata olives, sliced
- 2 tbsps red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for drizzling)
- 1 pinch smoked paprika or sumac (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Hummus Preparation: Combine chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a food processor, blending until smooth and creamy.
- Texture Refinement: Adjust consistency by gradually adding water or olive oil, ensuring a silky, spreadable texture that’s light and airy.
- Flavor Optimization: Taste and fine-tune seasonings, balancing the tangy, nutty, and savory elements to perfection.
- Plating Technique: Spread the hummus in a wide, shallow dish, creating elegant swirling patterns with a spatula for visual appeal.
- Topping Composition: Generously garnish the hummus with a colorful medley of Kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and crumbled feta cheese, creating a vibrant Mediterranean landscape.
- Final Embellishment: Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the toppings, allowing it to cascade and glisten, adding a luxurious sheen.
- Herbal Accent: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or oregano, infusing the dish with a fragrant, herbaceous note.
- Serving Suggestion: Present immediately with warm pita bread, crisp pita chips, or an array of fresh vegetable sticks for a versatile and inviting appetizer.
- Storage Guidelines: Refrigerate in a sealed container and consume within two days to maintain optimal freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Achieving Creamy Consistency: Gradually add water or olive oil while processing to prevent a dry, grainy texture, ensuring a smooth, silky hummus base.
- Balancing Flavor Precision: Taste and adjust seasonings incrementally, adding salt, lemon juice, or garlic in small amounts to create a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
- Preserving Fresh Ingredients: Select ripe, high-quality cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and herbs to maximize the vibrant Mediterranean flavors and visual appeal.
- Customizing Dietary Needs: Easily adapt the recipe for vegan diets by omitting feta cheese, or create a protein-rich version by adding grilled chicken or chickpea-based alternatives.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg