Miso-Black Garlic Hummus

1. 1

   Sort and rinse beans in several changes of water. Place in a bowl and cover with water to a depth of about two inches above the level of the beans

2. 2

   Add 1-2 teaspoons salt and stir in.

3. 3

   Soak beans overnight

4. 4

   The next day, drain and rinse beans. Place in a pot (preferably a clay pot) along with the onion, the garlic, the bay leaf and the salt. Stir well to dissolve the salt. Place on stove burner.

5. 5

   Turn on the flame to medium low and bring beans to a low boil (if using a clay pot, start on low flame and gradually increase so as not to shock the pot). Cover partially and reduce flame; simmer 45 minutes, (longer time may be required for older beans) until beans are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pot. To ascertain doneness use your sense of hearing: when you first add the beans, they will make a bright, dry thud against the sides of the pot when stirred. As they absorb water, they quiet down and make a softer, duller sound (test several beans by slicing through with a knife on a small dish to see that all are fully cooked through).

6. 6

   When tender, allow beans to cool completely; remove bay leaf and onion (the latter is not a bad snack with a squirt of fresh lemon and a sprinkle of salt), reserve the garlic cloves. There should be a small amount of bean broth, about a few tablespoons to a half cup; leave beans in broth. The beans can be prepared up till this step one day in advance.

7. 7

   Drain the beans, reserving the broth, and place in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add the garlic cloves that you simmered with the beans, and the black garlic.

8. 8

   In a small bowl, thin the miso with 2 tablespoons or so hot water and stir to dissolve-- you want a creamy consistency. Add the miso mixture to the beans. Scrape in the honey and drizzle in the olive oil and lemon juice, along with the minced garlic. Add with 2-3 tablespoons of the bean broth.

9. 9

   Blend the mixture until smooth--you want the black garlic pieces to be fully ground down. Taste for seasoning and adjust texture (add more bean broth, warm water or olive oil to thin out if desired). It should have a good mix of sweet and salty. Adjust to taste, adding more honey or olive oil if needed and blending to a smooth consistency. You should have about 3 cups.

10. 10

    Serve the hummus on a large, flat plate or platter, swirling it a bit with a knife or spatula to create crevices. Drizzle more olive oil into the crevices. Sprinkle generously with scallions. Serve with the toasted pita wedges, vegetables, or crusty baguette

11. 11

    It is even better the next day after the flavors have cozied up to each other.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.