As a teenager, I had a Lebanese friend whose parents cooked Middle Eastern food all the time and every dinner included this dish. A common occurrence at Middle Eastern restaurants, Hummus is always served as a starter-dish, even before you order any appetizers.
Hummus, also spelled houmous, is a vegan based Middle Eastern dip, spread, or savory dish made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic.
The standard garnish in the Middle East includes olive oil, a few whole chickpeas, parsley, and paprika.
This dish is best served at gatherings or parties and widely enjoyed across many different cultures.
Ingredients
1/2 cups chick peas, soaked overnight (or canned)
2 teaspoons salt
About 2 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup Tahini
About 1/2 cup lemon juice
Pinch of cayenne pepper and 2 tablespoons of parsley for garnish
Directions
Drain the soaked chick peas (or can of chick peas), and place in a pot with 3-4 times their amount of water.
Add 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil.
Boil vigorously for about 10 minutes, turn down the heat, cover the saucepan and simmer until the chick peas are very soft, about 1 hour.
Drain the liquid and reserve.
Reserve 1/2 cup of the whole, cooked chick peas for garnish.
Puree the remainder of the chick peas in a blender.
Crush the garlic with the remaining teaspoon of salt and blend it into the puree.
Slowly beat in the tahini and lemon juice alternately.
Blend in a little of the reserved liquid to make the mixture a thick creamy consistency.
Adjust salt and lemon to taste.
Serve on a platter garnished with a pinch of cayenne pepper, parsley, and the reserved chick peas.
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