Roasted Garlic Hummus with Basil Drizzle

My family are self-proclaimed dip aficionados, and we’ve tried every hummus variation under the sun. But this Roasted Garlic Hummus with Basil Drizzle? It’s in a league of its own. The mellow sweetness of roasted garlic infused into creamy hummus, brightened by a vibrant basil drizzle – it’s a flavor explosion that’s both comforting and sophisticated. From casual weeknight snacking to elegant weekend gatherings, this hummus has become our go-to appetizer. It’s incredibly easy to make, surprisingly healthy, and utterly irresistible. Trust me, once you try this homemade roasted garlic hummus, you’ll never reach for the store-bought kind again!

Ingredients: Your Shopping List for Flavor

To create this culinary masterpiece, you’ll need a few simple, fresh ingredients. Quality is key here, so choose the best you can find for the most flavorful results.

• Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans): 2 cans (15 ounces each), or about 3 cups cooked chickpeas. These are the heart of our hummus, providing a creamy texture and nutty flavor. Opt for canned for convenience or cook your own from dried for an even fresher taste.
• Garlic: 1 whole head. Roasting garlic transforms its pungent bite into a sweet, mellow, and almost caramelized flavor that’s essential for this recipe.
• Tahini: ½ cup. This sesame seed paste is crucial for authentic hummus. It adds richness, depth, and a slightly bitter note that balances the other flavors. Look for a good quality tahini that is smooth and pourable.
• Lemon Juice: ¼ cup, freshly squeezed. Brightens the hummus and adds a necessary tang. Freshly squeezed is always best for the most vibrant flavor.
• Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil, for roasting and drizzling. We’ll use this in two ways: for roasting the garlic to impart flavor and for drizzling over the finished hummus for richness and visual appeal. Choose a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best taste.
• Water: 3-5 tablespoons, or as needed. To achieve the perfect creamy consistency. The amount of water will depend on the desired thickness of your hummus.
• Salt: To taste. Enhances all the flavors. Start with a teaspoon and adjust to your preference.
• Fresh Basil: 1 cup packed leaves. The star of our vibrant drizzle, adding a fresh, herbaceous, and aromatic counterpoint to the rich hummus.
• Pine Nuts (Optional): 2 tablespoons. For garnish and added texture to the basil drizzle. Toasted pine nuts add a delightful nutty crunch and flavor to the basil drizzle, but they are optional if you don’t have them on hand or prefer a simpler drizzle.

Instructions: From Simple Steps to Delicious Dip

Making this roasted garlic hummus is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these simple steps and you’ll have a crowd-pleasing dip in no time.

1. Roast the Garlic: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice off the top portion of the garlic head, exposing the cloves. Drizzle with about a teaspoon of olive oil and wrap loosely in aluminum foil. Roast for 40-45 minutes, or until the cloves are soft and fragrant. The garlic is ready when the cloves are easily pierced with a fork and have a golden, caramelized appearance. Let the garlic cool slightly before handling.
2. Prepare the Chickpeas: If using canned chickpeas, drain and rinse them thoroughly under cold water. Rinsing helps remove excess sodium and any canning liquid, which can sometimes have a slightly metallic taste. If you want an even smoother hummus, you can remove the skins from the chickpeas at this stage. This is a bit time-consuming but can result in an exceptionally creamy texture. Simply pinch each chickpea and the skin should slip off.
3. Squeeze the Roasted Garlic: Once the roasted garlic is cool enough to handle, squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins into a food processor. The cloves should be soft and easily slip out. Discard the papery skins.
4. Combine Hummus Ingredients: Add the drained and rinsed chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and salt to the food processor along with the roasted garlic. Process until the mixture is very smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
5. Adjust Consistency with Water: With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Start with 3 tablespoons and add more if you prefer a thinner hummus. Process for another minute or two to ensure everything is well combined and the hummus is light and airy.
6. Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Taste the hummus and adjust seasoning as needed. You might want to add more salt, lemon juice, or even a touch more tahini to achieve your perfect flavor balance. Process again briefly to incorporate any additional seasonings.
7. Make the Basil Drizzle: While the hummus is processing or resting, prepare the basil drizzle. In a small food processor or blender (or using a mortar and pestle for a more rustic texture), combine the fresh basil leaves, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and optional pine nuts if using. Process or grind until finely chopped and well combined, but not completely smooth. You want a slightly textured drizzle, not a pesto. Add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors.
8. Assemble and Serve: Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl. Make a well in the center of the hummus and generously drizzle the basil mixture over the top. You can swirl some of the basil drizzle into the hummus for a marbled effect if desired. Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil and garnish with a few fresh basil leaves or toasted pine nuts if you like. Serve immediately or chill for later. Chilling the hummus allows the flavors to meld together even further.

Nutrition Facts: A Healthy and Delicious Choice

This Roasted Garlic Hummus with Basil Drizzle is not only incredibly tasty but also packed with nutritional benefits. Here’s a breakdown of the approximate nutrition per serving (based on 8 servings, using standard ingredient amounts):

• Servings: 8
• Calories per serving: Approximately 220-250 kcal
• Protein: 7-8 grams
• Sodium: Varies depending on salt added and canned chickpeas used (can be reduced by using low-sodium chickpeas and controlling salt addition)

Note: Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes. For precise nutritional information, use a nutrition calculator with the specific brands and quantities of ingredients you use.

Preparation Time: Quick, Easy, and Flavorful

From start to finish, this recipe is surprisingly quick, making it perfect for both planned meals and last-minute gatherings.

• Prep time: 15 minutes (includes garlic roasting prep and ingredient gathering)
• Cook time: 40-45 minutes (garlic roasting time)
• Total time: Approximately 1 hour

Most of the time is hands-off roasting time. Active preparation and hummus making only takes about 15-20 minutes.

How to Serve: Endless Possibilities for Enjoyment

Roasted Garlic Hummus with Basil Drizzle is incredibly versatile. Here are some delicious ways to serve and enjoy it:

• Classic Dip with Pita Bread: Warm pita bread, cut into wedges, is a classic and perfect pairing for hummus. The soft, slightly chewy pita scoops up the creamy hummus beautifully.
• Vegetable Platter: Serve with an array of fresh, crisp vegetables like:
  • Carrot sticks
  • Celery sticks
  • Cucumber slices
  • Bell pepper strips (red, yellow, orange)
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Radishes
  • Broccoli florets
  • Cauliflower florets
• Crackers and Breadsticks: Offer a selection of crackers, breadsticks, or baguette slices for dipping. Whole grain crackers or seeded breadsticks add a nice textural contrast.
• Spread for Sandwiches and Wraps: Use hummus as a healthy and flavorful spread in sandwiches, wraps, and paninis. It adds moisture and a creamy texture, replacing mayonnaise or other less healthy spreads.
• Mezze Platter Star: Include hummus as part of a Mediterranean mezze platter alongside olives, feta cheese, stuffed grape leaves, falafel, and other dips like baba ghanoush.
• Topping for Salads and Bowls: Dollop a spoonful of hummus on top of salads or grain bowls for added flavor, creaminess, and protein. It pairs especially well with Mediterranean or Middle Eastern inspired salads.
• Base for Flatbreads and Pizzas: Spread hummus as a base for flatbreads or pizzas instead of tomato sauce. Top with roasted vegetables, olives, feta, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs for a unique and delicious meal.
• With Falafel or Shawarma: Serve hummus as a side or condiment with falafel, shawarma, or grilled meats. It complements the savory flavors perfectly.

Additional Tips: Elevate Your Hummus to Perfection

To ensure your Roasted Garlic Hummus with Basil Drizzle is absolutely perfect, here are some helpful tips and tricks:

1. Roast the Garlic Properly: Don’t rush the garlic roasting process. Roasting low and slow allows the garlic to become sweet and mellow, which is crucial for the flavor of this hummus. Ensure the cloves are truly soft and easily squeezed out. If they are still firm, roast for a bit longer.
2. Use Good Quality Tahini: The quality of your tahini significantly impacts the taste of your hummus. Look for tahini that is smooth, pourable, and has a slightly nutty, not bitter, flavor. Stir the tahini well before measuring, as the oil tends to separate.
3. Don’t Skimp on Lemon Juice: Lemon juice is essential for balancing the richness of the tahini and chickpeas and adding brightness to the hummus. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor. Adjust the amount to your preference, but don’t be afraid to be generous.
4. Warm Chickpeas for Extra Creaminess: Some chefs recommend using slightly warmed chickpeas for even smoother hummus. You can gently warm the rinsed chickpeas in a saucepan with a little water or in the microwave for a minute before processing.
5. Peel Chickpea Skins for Ultra-Smooth Hummus: For the absolute smoothest hummus, take the extra step of removing the skins from the chickpeas. While it’s a bit tedious, it makes a noticeable difference in texture.
6. Adjust Water for Desired Consistency: Add water gradually, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your preferred hummus consistency. Some people prefer thicker hummus, while others like it thinner and more spreadable. You can always add more water, but you can’t take it away, so add it slowly.
7. Make it Ahead of Time: Hummus is a great make-ahead dish. The flavors actually meld and deepen over time. You can make the hummus a day or two in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The basil drizzle is best made fresh just before serving for the most vibrant color and flavor, but you can prepare it a few hours ahead and store it separately in the fridge.

FAQ: Your Hummus Questions Answered

Got questions about making Roasted Garlic Hummus with Basil Drizzle? We’ve got answers!

Q1: Can I use pre-minced garlic instead of roasting a whole head?
A: While you can use pre-minced garlic for convenience, roasting a whole head of garlic is highly recommended for this recipe. Roasting transforms the garlic’s flavor, making it sweet and mellow, which is key to the unique taste of this hummus. Pre-minced garlic will have a much sharper, more pungent flavor and won’t provide the same depth of flavor as roasted garlic.

Q2: I don’t have tahini. Can I still make hummus?
A: Tahini is a crucial ingredient in authentic hummus, contributing to its characteristic flavor and creamy texture. While you can technically make hummus without tahini, it won’t be the same. If you absolutely must substitute, you could try using a different nut butter like almond butter or cashew butter, but be aware that it will significantly alter the flavor profile. We highly recommend using tahini for the best results.

Q3: Can I make this hummus without olive oil?
A: Olive oil is used in roasting the garlic, in the basil drizzle, and for drizzling over the finished hummus. While you could reduce the amount of olive oil slightly, we don’t recommend omitting it entirely. Olive oil contributes to the flavor, richness, and texture of the hummus and basil drizzle. For a healthier option, ensure you are using extra virgin olive oil and control the amount you drizzle on top.

Q4: How long does homemade hummus last in the refrigerator?
A: Homemade hummus will typically last for 3-5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Ensure it is properly stored to maintain its freshness and prevent bacterial growth. It’s always best to use your senses – if it smells or looks off, discard it.

Q5: Can I freeze roasted garlic hummus?
A: Yes, you can freeze hummus, although the texture might change slightly upon thawing. To freeze hummus, place it in an airtight container, leaving a little headspace for expansion. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. You may need to stir it well after thawing to restore its creamy texture, and you might want to add a tablespoon or two of olive oil or water to rehydrate it if it seems dry. It’s best to freeze hummus without the basil drizzle and add the fresh drizzle after thawing.

Q6: Can I adjust the spiciness of this hummus?
A: Absolutely! If you like a little heat, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the hummus while processing, or drizzle a bit of chili oil over the top before serving. You could also incorporate a roasted jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicier kick. Adjust the amount to your preference to control the level of spiciness.

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