Homemade Hummus Changes Everything

If you've only ever had store-bought hummus, your life is about to change.

Homemade hummus is in a completely different category—it's creamier, brighter, and so flavorful that kids who normally won't touch vegetables happily dip carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers.

It even got me to start changing my mind about raw broccoli!

Last spring, I taught a 5-week series at a local elementary school, and Hummus Week was a favorite! About 97% of the kids LOVED this super delicious hummus I made in their classroom in 5 minutes. There was a lot of sample cup licking 😋 and requests for seconds.

The secret to ultra-creamy hummus? Briefly boiling canned chickpeas with baking soda. This simple step dissolves the skins and transforms the texture from grainy to silky-smooth. Traditional methods call for peeling every chickpea by hand. (I don't know about you, but I don't have time for that!) Our quick boil bypasses that step.

Combined with lots of fresh lemon juice, garlic, tahini, and a bit of cumin, you get hummus that tastes like it came from a Mediterranean restaurant—not a plastic tub.

​Download Super Smooth Hummus Recipe (PDF)​
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Chef Mark's cooking tool highlight: the Chef'n FreshForce Citrus Juicer. Fresh lemon juice is what makes hummus truly shine, and this juicer gets every last drop while straining out the seeds.

This juicer is:

• easy for kids to use
• a bright beautiful yellow
• super durable (I've had mine for 7 years, and it still looks brand new)

Action Steps

1. Order the Chef'n FreshForce Citrus Juicer if you don't already have one
2. Have your child make hummus with you this week
3. Bonus: Watch my video on changing my mind about raw broccoli 👇

Chef Mark

♬ original sound - Chef Mark

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Let your kids take the lead on whatever steps they're ready for—draining chickpeas, squeezing lemons, running the food processor, and definitely taste-testing!

Once they've made the hummus:

1. Let them dip their favorite veggie and experience how good fresh hummus tastes
2. Have them try it with a veggie they usually skip and see if their opinion changes

Let me know what you try!

Much love,
Chef Mark

p.s. Know somebody who would benefit from this newsletter? Refer a friend!​