I know what you’re thinking… it’s just another hummus recipe. What’s so special about this one?
Just about everything! The rich flavor and smooth, creamy texture leaves you wanting to finish it all in one sitting! I could easily eat this hummus right out of the bowl with a spoon.
This recipe was inspired by a visit to one of my favorite cities, San Francisco. If you’ve read my ABOUT page, you know that my husband and I graduated from Cal and try to go back to the Bay Area at least once a year to visit some of our favorite spots. After devouring some Thai Basil and picking up Zachary’s half-baked famous Spinach & Mushroom Pizza, we stopped by my cousins place in Oakland. I had brought two Vegan Cinnamon Rolls from Cinnaholic to share. However, being the great host he always is, he felt the need to feed us. So I sat at his kitchen counter and watched him make a green lentil hummus while we chatted and caught up on life.
After just one bite, I found myself wanting more and more. I knew I needed to stop because I had an entire half-baked pizza waiting for me in the car, not to mention we just had lunch, but I just couldn’t stop. Never did I expect to push away the cinnamon rolls for his hummus (especially because those cinnamon rolls are amazing)! The flavor profile was beyond what I’d imagined, having made home hummus before, and the texture was so smooth that I really did want to lick it straight out of the bowl.
Of course my cousin never has recipes for anything, as any great chef. I could not wait to recreate this at home! The key to this recipe is the method of preparation, the green lentils, and lots of fresh lemon juice. I made a large serving, and my husband and I finished off most of it within a few days. Luckily I saved some for a friend to try. She absolutely loved it, asking me for the recipe right away. I had served it with some brown rice crackers from Costco (which are very good and gluten-free), but even she just used the crackers as a scoop and actually preferred to eat the hummus plain!
Since this hummus recipe is extremely creamy and smooth in texture, you can use it for just about anything. Fresh Veggie Wraps are one of my favorite meals to make for lunch, the key ingredient being hummus. Although it’s not a great photograph, below is the delicious wrap I whipped up after making a batch of this hummus a few weeks ago: cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, baby spinach leaves, and cooked red quinoa (left over from my Four Bean, Quinoa, & Veggie Tacos), topped with some avocado and Cholula hot sauce, all wrapped in a lightly cooked tortilla smothered with a generous helping of Green Lentil Hummus!
After writing this post, I think I need to make some more hummus soon! Enjoy!
Green Lentil Hummus
INGREDIENTS
- 1 3/4 cup green lentils , cooked (see notes below)
- 1/3 cup tahini
- 3 cloves garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4-6 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 teasp sea salt
- paprika (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a food processor, blend the tahini with 4 tbsp. lemon juice (save the rest of the lemon juice until the end - see notes below).
- Add the olive oil, water, and garlic. Blend until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
- Add the lentils and sea salt. Blend until completely smooth.
- Taste and add up to 2 tbsp additional lemon juice as needed (the exact amount depends on how sour your lemons are).
- Garnish with a little olive oil and some paprika if you prefer.
- Serve with just about anything (pita chips, brown rice crackers, or veggies). You can also use it as a spread to make a veggie wrap.
Sheryl
I was very excited to see a hummus recipe without cumin as I have a food allergy to nightshades…and I love lentils! However, if I made this recipe again, I would use only one teaspoon salt and roast the garlic. I really appreciated the note about adding less lemon juice before tasting when making the recipe. I used only 3 tablespoons of lemon juice. Thank you for sharing this recipe. I would make again, but with these modifications.
Anjali Lalani
Glad you enjoyed it and were able to modify to your liking!