Recipe by James John Deren

Hummus with Caramelized Onions

Name: Hummus with Caramelized Onions
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 6 - 8 as an appetizer/snack servings
Ingredients: 3 C Sweet Onion, chopped; 4 T Olive Oil, divided as 1T, 2T, 1T; 16 oz Chick peas; 2 T Lemon Juice; 2 T Tahini; 1 Garlic Clove, minced, about 1-2 t; Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to taste; Kosher Salt, to taste

This Middle Eastern classic is updated with a western twist. The secret is patience with the onions - they should look exactly like the ones in the picture (or even browner for more depth and sweetness)!

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 60 mins

Servings 6 - 8 as an appetizer/snack servings

Category Sauce

Ingredients

3 C Sweet Onion, chopped
4 T Olive Oil, divided as 1T, 2T, 1T
16 oz Chick peas
2 T Lemon Juice
2 T Tahini
1 Garlic Clove, minced, about 1-2 t
Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to taste
Kosher Salt, to taste

Instructions

1 Preheat A Cast Iron Or Other: Preheat a cast iron or other heavy pan over medium heat for 3-4 minutes.
2 Add 1T Oil To The Pan: Add 1T oil to the pan, swirl, and then add the onions.
3 Add 1T Salt: Add 1t salt.
4 Allow To Slowly Cook, Stirring Often: Allow to slowly cook, stirring often, until evenly browned. Adjust the heat down as the browning speeds up. Be patient - this can take up to 45 minutes or more.
5 While The Onions Are Cooking, Put: While the onions are cooking, put the rest of the ingredients in the food processor and process until completely smooth. Adjust the seasoning and the texture (see notes).
6 When The Onions Are Done, Reserve: When the onions are done, reserve 3 T of them, and process the rest into the hummus.
7 Serve At Room Temperature, Plating It: Serve at room temperature, plating it in a bowl, adding the onions to the middle, then drizzle with 1 T olive oil.

Pro Tips & Delicious Variations

To adjust the texture, use water to loosen the mixture, oil to give it body, and tahini to stiffen it.
To change the presentation of the onion, slice them instead of dicing, or any other shape. Because the rest are processed in, you can play with shapes!
When processing in the onions, make it completely smooth, or leave it a little under processed to add a rustic touch.
The secret to restaurant-smooth hummus? Remove the thin skin on each chick pea! It’s laborious but definitely worth the time for special gatherings.
When plating, you can make it pretty with a swirl in the hummus before adding the oil and place a sprig of fresh herbs in the side.