Spinach & Pistachio Hummus
For International Hummus Day, I decided to make this delicious creamy spinach & pistachio hummus. Hummus is often served as a thick spread but I added extra aguafaba to this hummus so I could use the leftover as a sauce for pasta. If your a Hummus fan take a look at my Beetroot Hummus, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus or Avocado Hummus.
Hummus with spelt flour sesame crackers
Spinach Hummus ingredients
Spinach & Pistachio Hummus
Ingredients
- Chickpeas
- Spinach leaves
- Pistachio nuts
- Lemon
- Garlic cloves
- Tahini
- Virgin olive oil
- Aguafaba
- Salt
Notes on ingredients
Chickpeas – When I make creamy dips like hummus, I prefer to use organic cooked chickpeas and one of the best brands I use is those from Cal Valls
Spinach – Nothing beats fresh organic spinach from your local store or market. I wrote an article explaining consuming raw spinach, you can find it here, Can I eat Raw Spinach?
Pistachio Nuts – I used plain, unsalted pistachio nuts that you can grab at your local store.
lemon – A juicy organic lemon is all that you need.
Garlic – I love raw garlic, the more the better. Some people might find that raw garlic can irritate the stomach or cause heartburn, this is due to certain compounds it carries. If this is the case alternatively you can steam or lightly fry the garlic for a couple of minutes and use half a clove.
Tahini Paste – On this occasion I used the roasted sesame tahini.
Virgin Olive Oil – I use one of the best quality virgin olive oils that comes in glass bottles from Cal Valls.
Aguafaba – Many people have asked me, what is aguafaba? All it is is the liquid from jared’s cooked chickpeas or beans. It is important to note that when using the legumes juice always buy organic. Most supermarket legumes that come cooked have additives added to them.
Salt – I always use pink Himalayan salt.
How to make summary
While the spinach leaves are in soak to remove dirt and debris, drain the chickpeas, peel the garlic cloves and have the blender ready. When you have all the ingredients ready, dry off the spinach and throw them all in the blender to make this wonderful hummus.
Spinach and Pistachio Hummus
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 220g jar of organic cooked chickpeas
- 1 cup of spinach leaves
- Handful of chopped pistachio nuts
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1-2 garlic cloves ( depending on desired garlic taste
- 2 table spoons tahini
- 2 table spoons virgin olive oil
- 2-4 table spoons of aguafaba or water
- ½ tea spoon salt
Instructions
- Step 1. First, give the spinach a good wash. That way you are sure to make sure to remove any dirt.
- Step 2. Secondly, depending if you are using pre-cooked chickpeas or you are cooking them from scratch. I often use quality organic cooked chickpeas that are ready to use. I like to use the brand Cal Valls.
- Step 3. Drain the chickpeas of the aquafaba (chickpea liquid). Depending on whether you want to make thick spreadable hummus or you prefer dreamy creamy hummus like the one that I have made. (I made this creamy so I use the leftover for a pasta sauce). Therefore I added 4 tablespoons of the aquafaba juice to the blender. If you want a thick hummus just use one or two tablespoons of aquafaba.
- Step 4. Add the chickpeas, salt, raw garlic and lemon juice to the blender and blend at full speed.
- Step 5. Finally, add the spinach leaves and finish off with a final blend
Notes & Suggestions
Nutrition Profile
The Nutritional information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically per serving, The amount of sodium depends on the salt used.
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What is Hummus?
Humus is a paste, cream or puree made from cooked chickpeas, tahini paste (sesame paste), garlic, lemon juice and olive oil. It originates in the Middle East. There are many variants with different ingredients giving it differnt flavours. There is little to say about its name, hummus literally means chickpea, and it is not surprising, since that is its main ingredient.
Traditional Hummus
In the traditional hummus recipe, we cook chickpeas and mix them with tahini. We add a good splash of olive oil, fresh lemon juice and a crushed garlic.
What is Tahini?
Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds. Grinding the sesame seeds turns them into a thick, oily paste similar in texture to peanut butter. Essentially, sesame seed butter, (tahini) adds a nutty flavor and creamy texture to savory and sweet recipes.
Useful Tips
- Either way, you might want to cook the chickpeas from scratch by soaking them overnight and simmering them for a two hours or purchase high quality cooked chickpea. If you cook the chickpeas a little longer it gives you creamier hummus!
- Use quality organic tahini and plenty of it. Tahini paste is a key ingredient in an authentic hummus recipe. It will add that rich consistency and a delicious subtle nutty flavor.
- Finally, to obtain a creamy hummus, add extra liquid while blending. That could be extra aguafaba, nut milk or olive or avocado oil. Let the blender run for a few minutes.
Can I Eat Raw Spinach?
Yes, you can eat raw spinach and it is good for you. Spinach is packed with many nutrients including folate, fibre and vitamins A, C and K. It is also extremely low in calories. I have an article all about consuming raw spinach, you can read it here: Can I eat Raw Spinach
If you want to know the health benefits and properties of hummus see my article: How healthy is hummus.
If you make this creamy hummus, I would love for you to leave a rating below and also would love to see your creations, so tag me at @dsihingoutplants on Instagram.
