Silky Smooth White Bean Hummus, Mediterranean Style

The creamiest white bean hummus is easy to make at home! The secret is using tahini, a little water, and a food processor to make it. I love this hummus for snacking on with veggies and crisps, or slathering it on sourdough bread. It turns out so creamy every time and is extra flavorful.

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I’m a firm believer in homemade hummus. Store-bought, no matter which way, which how, just doesn’t compare. That’s not to say I’ve never purchased a tub for convenience when grocery store hangry or traveling. But if able, I’ll be whirling up the chickpeas in my food processor, going so far as peeling them too because that’s how the smoothest hummus is made.

This recipe however, uses white beans, and was inspired by Jennifer Farley‘s new cookbook, The Gourmet Kitchen. As I was paging through the book, her Loaded Hummus caught my eye stacked with all sorts of things like feta, olives, and sun dried tomatoes. As I read the headnote, she talked about her preference for white beans because of their smoother consistency. I decided to try her technique because I’d sworn off white bean hummus. 

To me, it seemed like it was trying to be something it wasn’t, always a little pasty and grainy. After making her recipe, I figured out what I was doing wrong…. I had been afraid of using a little water, and not enough tahini/olive oil, the healthy fats that allow it to blend and emulsify into the silky dip that it is.

The Secret to Silky Smooth Hummus:

I made it a few times after, perfecting my own version. I found that using the water from the beans instead of tossing it was the best liquid, having some starch in it to make it even creamier.

A higher proportion of olive oil really lets the fruity flavor of the olives shine, and lots of lemon for brightness. I topped it with marinated artichokes (they’re actually grilled and marinated, from Trader Joe’s so they add a nice smoky flavor), toasted pine nuts, za’atar, and parsley.

Incredible flavor and textures going on…..

You will need a food processor to make this recipe. I’ve used this one for 9 years and it has never let me down!

Ways to Eat White Bean Hummus:

This white bean hummus doesn’t last long in our house.

I spread it on my Everyday Sourdough Bread first, next with roasted vegetables, and lastly on an egg sandwich. And it’s also the perfect base for this healthy 7-Layer Dip!

Experiencing An Olive Oil Harvest

Olive oil is to my kitchen as is salt. The food I cook would be nothing without it.

As one of the most fraudulent ingredients in the world, the story and sourcing of the olive oil is extremely important to me. If you haven’t read the book Extravirginity, which reveals this story of  globalization, deception, and crime in the this industry, put it on your list immediately.

After reading the book in 2013 (I still have the date marked inside the cover), I did a lot of research to find a U.S. based olive company that I could access, that was doing it the right way, from olive grove to bottle, to store, to my house. But it also had to taste really, really good.

Since that time, the timeless green California Olive Ranch bottle has been in my cupboard, doing everything from baking cakes, to roasting my favorite vegetables, and searing meat to perfection.

The experience was enlightening and humbling, opening my eyes to the entire process and the passion of the families who work tirelessly to bring us such an integral part of cooking.

I don’t know what I was assuming the field would look like, but I had no idea how beautiful olive groves are. Rows and rows of mystical trees with long branches, swaying in the wind with clusters upon clusters of olives, almost like grapes. California Olive Ranch innovated a particular mechanical harvest method to make extra virgin olive oil available to more people around the country. That big over-the-top harvester you see above (which we all rode on the top deck to get some amazing photos and the ultimate bird’s eye view!) allows them to harvest the fruit at their perfect ripeness. The olives never touch the ground, minimizing any damage to the fruit from dropping.

As you can see by so many pictures, the visual story is quite captivating. I absolutely love California Olive Ranch’s mission, to bring more people quality olive oil. And their approach, growing olives uses time honored farming techniques while fully embracing modern technology and focusing on sustainability. Their fruit is grown by 70 family farmers around the Sacramento area who are committed and proud of what they do.

Clarifying Olive Oil Myths and Facts:

• Heat Myth: Forever I thought I wasn’t supposed to cook with olive oil at high heat. All those people that told you the same thing – they were WRONG. With high quality, fresh olive oil that is. Such will stand upwards of 425 degrees, well above the ideal temperature for frying food around 350 degrees. Low quality will burn because it has less acid, has probably been cut with vegetable oils, and may have particular matter from not being separated properly.
• Color: Greener olives generally make more intense, grassy flavors and less oil. More mature purple fruit will make mild and buttery oil that is often golden in color.
• Storage: Move that bottle away from light and heat, and store it like you would wine. That means away from the stove. After you’ve opened it, try to use it within one month. This is one reason why big bulk bottles at Costco are not a good idea.
• Bone Health: most of us know that olive oil is a heart healthy fat, but what I didn’t know is that is also helps improve bone mineralization and calcification. It helps the body absorb calcium, which is a key player in preventing osteoporosis, aiding in thickening the bones. And as I someone who was diagnosed with osteoporosis at age 25, I need all the help I can get.

More White Bean Recipes:

• Tuscan White Beans
• Simple Instant Pot White Bean Soup
• Vegetarian Potato Tacos with White Beans and Garlic Yogurt Sauce

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Creamy White Bean Hummus, Mediterranean Style

The creamiest hummus made from white beans, with delicious Mediterranean toppings! Use a food processor to puree the beans, olive oil, tahini, and lemon juice. Top with fresh herbs and pine nuts.

4.64 from 19 votes

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Prep Time :10 minutes minutes

Yield: 6 servings

Author: Amanda Paa

Ingredients

• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can white beans, drained
• 1/4 cup well stirred tahini
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 1/2 tablespoons water
• 2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

toppings:

• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1 1/2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
• 2 teaspoons za'atar spice
• a few marinated artichokes, lightly chopped

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Equipment

• food processor

Instructions 

• Place the garlic, beans, tahini, and olive oil in a food processor. Blend and processor for 20 seconds, stop to scrape sides, then blend for 20 more seconds.
• Add water, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Puree for two minutes, just keep it buzzing, to create the really really smooth texture.
• Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably an hour, to thicken. Spoon into bowl and top with parsley, pine nuts, za'atar, and artichokes. Serve.

Notes

Can be made 3 days ahead, just save the toppings for right before serving.