M&S Humus Recipe?
Hello!
I lived in London and am now living in the states and just went back for a visit, during which I consumed container after container of M&S hummus (or humus or hummous) which has always been my favorite. On my last day there I got a container of Waitrose hummus and was just as satisfied.
Long story short, the hummus in the states doesn't seem to be as light and creamy. Does anyone happen to have a recipe that mimics either M&S or Waitrose hummus or has tried one in the states that they can say is similar in flavor and texture?
Hoping someone can help.
Thanks!
lafutura
Oct 18, 2008 08:21PM
I agree with you that the hummous in the UK is a lot better-tasting than most of what one finds in the States. My favorite (even more than the M&S) is Sainsbury's carmelised onion mixture. It's delicious. That said, you might want to try Delia's recipes on her website. They might approximate what you had in the UK. I'm not sure where you live, but Trader Joe's might make a good one.. it's been awhile since I've shopped at one.
http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/hu...
I guess you'll have to experiment around a bit.
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Thanks for such a quick response. Sadly I live nowhere near a Trader Joe's. It's a shame as I quite like them. I'll check out Delia. Wow - carmelised onion hummous? Ohhhhh...sounds delicious. I will be banging on their doors next time I'm there!
I guess I wouldn't mind experimenting if I could understand what ingredient(s) makes for the difference in flavor and texture.
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I think that the tahini used might make a bit of difference in the taste. I'm not much of an expert on making hummous, but I do like to eat it. Sainsbury's makes a lot of hummous flavours, so you can have a great time next visit!
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Accoding to me Claudia Roden book on Middle Eastern Food, there are two distinct types of Hummus. The first has no tahina paste, but uses a more olive oil to moisten the chick peas (50ml to 250g chickpeas). The second (Hummus bi Tahina) uses tahina paste (150ml to 180g) and only a little oil as a garnish. They both then have lemon juice, garlic, paprika/cayenne, and salt to season them.
I think most hummos in the UK is made to the latter recipe and the "bi tahina" in the name has dropped out of use. My guess is that this is the pretty much the standard in UK supermarkets (give or take a lot of E numbers).
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Thanks. I'll check the ingredients next time I buy some. I'm sure you're right about the dropping of 'bi tahina.' Recently, I've been buying very little in the way of dips, and if I do it's tzatikis. And what's baba ganoush? :-)
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Baba Ghanoush is basically grilled aubergines mashed up with lots of tahina, some garlic , lemon juice and seasoning.
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BTW, baba ganoush is sometimes called mutabal (or some variant spelling).
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This gives me hope, then, for the Delia recipe that zuriga1 gave me a link to as that is exactly what it is called. When she mentioned in the recipe a consistency of mayonnaise, I thought that it might be the right one!
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Unfortunately, I cannot answer your question.
However, it did make me want to ask whether anyone else feels, contrary to common conventional thinking, that the Waitrose reduced fat humus tastes better than the regular stuff?
Food Snob
www.foodsnobblog.wordpress.com
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It is, but the Sainsbury's reduced fat is vile.
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Glad to hear I am not a freak!
Haven't tried Sainsbury's and now shan't.
www.foodsnobblog.wordpress.com
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Can't say I ventured in that direction as I've always been disappointed by reduced fat humus, but will make sure I give Waitrose's version a shot next time around.
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OP - if you can find Sabra brand hummous in the US, that might help you. It's the best store bought brand I had over there.
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I seem to recall that Sabra is an Israeli import. It might explain the authenticity! I think that's what I used to buy years ago.
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I really like the Sabra brand as it's smoother and less garlicky, OH maintains it's more authentic. Most supermarket types I've tried have been coarser and more akin to Greek hummus. Are there any supermarket brands that are Israeli style, or is Sabra the only one?
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You are right about the differences. I tried to come up with a description of what is different with the hummus here but couldn't figure it out - all I knew is I didn't like it. It never would have occurred to me that it models hummus from a different country. If I can't find Sabra I'll have to look to see if any market themselves as being Israeli style.
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>Are there any supermarket brands that are Israeli style, or is Sabra the only
one?<
I really don't know. Selfridge's food hall has a 'kosher' section and they may have something. I've always liked Sainsbury's so much that I never looked around.
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update - i just gave sabra a try. it's definitely there on the smoothness but lacks a bit in flavor. it's a start, anyway! i think i'll still go with the delia recipe once i find some dried chickpeas and go from there.
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Thanks for the tip on Sabra - I'll look out for it and give it a try. It gives me hope! :)
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You can get the Sabra brand hummus at Costco (or get someone with a membership to get it for you). I have no idea about the differences, but I thought Sabra was the most amazing hummus I'd ever had. Now, living in London, I realise that is what all hummus should taste like :)
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For what it's worth, I reckon a good slug of EV olive oil semi stirred in is a real plus.
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