Creamy Silky Hummus (and our new Vitamix)

Kirk talked me into it recently. A Vitamix 5200 blender. It was hard for me to get past the price tag (even on a great deal at Costco) – if you have ever watched a demo of one you know how pricey they are. But I had noticed something over and over when reading other blogs – no one says anything negative. They love theirs and use it all the time. Then at VegFest last weekend I counted at least 20 of them being used by vendors to prepare the food being served. That said a lot. No other brand, just Vitamix. Kirk had been increasingly frustrated by our high-speed blender. He wanted a silky smooth frappe, not ones with icy chunks. He had never been able to reach that state, no matter what he tried. He kept bugging me that maybe we should get a Vitamix but it seemed so over the top for just frappes – after all, how many frappes do you have to make to justify the cost of the machine? But then the demo guy was at Costco putting on a show (as they often do) and I actually got sucked in and watched it. He was a good rep, probably the best I have seen. He enjoyed what he did and it showed. He took the time to make a couple of recipes that were catered more to us. What cinched the deal was the baby food. I got frustrated when Walker was a baby and gave up making it because I couldn’t get it smooth enough, even when pushing it through a wire mesh sieve (and it took so long!). So watching him blend spinach, carrots, apples and whatnot in 30 seconds and producing a ready to eat SMOOTH baby food that tasted amazing. It was fresh and vibrant. Walker sucked down the entire cup he was given and was crabbing for more after. Personally I think jarred baby food is pretty sad taste wise, I would have eaten this happily.

After that I was in and realized the blender really could do the things it promised. So the blender with a 64 ounce wet container  and an additional dry container (for making flours) fell in the cart.

So we came home and got to work. Or should I say Kirk did! He doesn’t get to be in the kitchen much but is a talented cook in his own right. I let him in and he has played with the blender every night making us so many things! That and our morning frappes (when you think about it, if went to Starbucks every morning we would spend $10 for 2 drinks. Maybe we will pay for the machine sooner than we thought….) Did I mention the frappes are smoother than any drink I have had in a coffee shop? No ice left. Smooth as a milkshake.

Kirk adapted the hummus recipe out of the official cookbook, Whole Food Recipes, on page 102. Since I am trying to wean us off canned beans I measured the canned items so we can go back and use home cooked beans (using the slow cooker method). I am not embellishing this – it was the silkiest and smoothest hummus I have ever had. Minus the tinny lemon flavor and preservatives that nearly all commercial brands have.

But DO use organic canned beans if using canned. Otherwise you may well be consuming preservatives in the cooking liquid it is packed in (since part of the liquid is used in preparing).

Hummus

Ingredients:

• 2 15 ounce cans organic garbanzo beans (chickpeas), one drained, one with liquid or 3 cups cooked garbanzo beans + ¾ cup cooking liquid
• ¼ cup raw sesame seeds
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil + more for drizzling on top
• 2 lemons, juiced (¼ cup)
• ½ tsp garlic or 1 clove, peeled
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ¼ tsp sea salt, or to taste
• ground paprika for topping

Directions:

Add the beans, bean liquid, sesame seeds, oil, lemon juice and cumin into the Vitamix container (wet one) and secure the lid.

Select variable 1.

Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to high.

Blend for 1 minute, using the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades.

Season to taste with the salt, scrape into a serving bowl.

Drizzle more olive oil on top and sprinkle lightly with paprika. Serve with chips, fresh veggies, spread on sammies……

Store tightly covered in the refrigerator.

– This can be prepared in a food processor but it won’t be as smooth.

~Sarah

PS: So many more recipes coming using the Vitamix – Kirk has been SO busy!