Really Nice Hummus

Let’s dive into a bowl of luxuriously creamy, unapologetically flavorful hummus that's as smooth as Sinatra and as bold as a streaker at a football game. This isn't your average store-bought mush - no, this is hummus elevated, an opus to the humble chickpea. It's a testament to the transformative power of the mortar and pestle, the culinary hammer and anvil that turns simple ingredients into a velvety marvel.

We start with canned chickpeas, two cups of leguminous gems just begging to be mashed into submission along with their aromatic accomplice, garlic. In goes the tahini, the sesame paste that rounds out the earthy richness of this chickpea ballet. The stage? A shallow bowl, waiting to be adorned with an eruption of flavor - a dusting of sumac and ground cumin, a scattering of fresh cilantro, a crown of chickpeas like little pearls of perfection.

Now, we're not just stopping there, oh no. We're bringing the heat, literally. Meet the paprika oil, a fiery accompaniment that's going to set your taste buds aflame with anticipation. Heat that oil, infuse it with paprika and garlic, and then - with all the drama of a telenovela finale - ladle it over the hummus. The sizzling crescendo of this middle-eastern symphony. A final drizzle of tahini, and you've got a dish that's a testament to your kitchen prowess. To serve? Pita bread, warmed and ready to scoop up the hummus in all its glory. Bon appetit, folks, and buckle up, because this is one culinary ride you'll want to take over and over again.

P.S. My Jordanian buddy told me that this hummus is authentic and damn near exactly what he and his family eat most of the time. Once he told me his dad would like it, I knew this recipe was on point. I hope you dig! 🤘🏼 Adam