Hummus

Hummus

Dips & Condiments,Old Recipe Dips + Condiments,Savoury

Food Fact: Hummus is one of the oldest foods in the world, thought to be over 7000 years old.

My childhood in the Middle East is one of the strongest memories I have with me, particularly when it comes to food. My daily breakfast was a wholesome nutritious Lebanese one consisting of warm whole-wheat pita bread with creamy hummus, mutabal, foul medames and olives. (We took breakfast rather seriously!)

A healthy intake of proteins, carbs and good fats makes for an ideal breakfast for everyone at every age, and even for those on diets. If you are refraining from bread, choose carrot sticks for a healthier option.

A few spoons of hummus with crackers are also recommended as a mid afternoon snack, as a spread in sandwiches, and of course, for a mezze platter. Accompany the hummus with a few olives, and you’ve got yourself a real nutritious package – olives help lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase HDL (the good cholesterol) and are packed with anti-oxidants, energy and research has shown, helps prevent cancer. Ever wondered how the Mediterranean ladies have such good skin? It’s all those olives and olive oil!

I usually make a good amount of hummus at one go, which can be stored in the fridge for almost a week (if it even lasts that long!). If plain hummus bores you (is that possible I ask), you can vary the flavours by adding other ingredients – I will post about these in the near future.

ABOUT:

Remember to keep some of the water from the cooked chickpeas.

Taste as you go – hummus is a personal taste – some like it extra creamy, some chunky, more garlic, less lemon juice – it’s entirely up to you.

For garnish, sprinkle some bright red paprika or sumac, a dash of olive oil and adorn with olives.

The recipe for TAHINI PASTE is in the previous post here

Note: the strength of garlic increases as the days go by – so if you plan to make the hummus today for a meal tomorrow, decrease the amount of garlic.

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The Recipe
Serves Serves: One medium bowl Prep time: 12 hours Cook time: 30 mins

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chickpeas, soaked overnight and boiled (keep 1 cup of it’s boiled water)
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • 5 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp tahini paste [Recipe to Tahini Paste]
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt to taste
  • To garnish:
  • 1 tsp olive oil, extra virgin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 4-5 olives

Instructions

  • Place the boiled chickpeas in a mixer with ½ cup of its’ boiled water. Add in the garlic, olive oil and salt and whizz the mixer until all ingredients have been blended well.
  • If you find the mixture too thick, add some more water or olive oil.
  • Place the mixture in a bowl and add tahini sauce and mix well.
  • The proportions are adjustable depending upon your own tastes.
  • To serve:
  • Spread the hummus on a plate and create a square indentation with a spoon. Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle paprika over and place some olives.
  • Serve with warm pita bread, pita chips or crudités.

Up Next

The recipes are tried and tested, some are adapted from various places, and a few are passed down; but every one of them comes straight from the heart.