Real hummus made with cooked beans is totally different from the usual store bought kind. Mixing it with cashews is a great addition. However you could just buy ready made and re-blend it with some cashews.

1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight

1 bay leaf2 sprigs thyme

¼ teaspoon chilli flakes

1 cup unsalted cashew nuts

1/2 cup cooking water

¾ cup olive oil

1 ½ teaspoons garlic

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 teaspoons ground cumin

Salt to taste

Drain chickpeas and place in a pot. Cover with water, add bay leaf, thyme sprigs and chilli flakes and bring to boil over high heat. Lower heat and simmer for 40 minutes or until chickpeas are softened. Drain reserving cooking water seperately.

Place chickpeas and cashew nuts in a food processor and puree. Add olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and cumin and process until uniform. Add 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup chickpea cooking liquid to thin to desired consistancy. Season with salt to taste. Makes 3 ½ cups hummus