HUMMUS RECIPE 

Hummus is a Middle Eastern and Arabic food dip or spread made from cooked and crushed chickpeas blended with lemon juice, olive oil, tahini, garlic, and salt.  These days, it is most popular in the Middle East, North Africa, Morocco, and Turkey.  Since the end of the 20th century, hummus can be found in health food stores across North America.  To call hummus a vegan staple condiment would be both a massive understatement and doing a great disservice to the condiment of choice for many of us green monsters.  With the variety of flavors out there, you will never get bored of hummus, and your taste buds will love you for it!

Hummus is high in protein and Vitamin C, and an excellent source of vitamin B6, while the chickpeas that most hummus is made from are high in dietary fiber.  Depending on the recipe, hummus can vary in levels of monounsaturated fat.  Hummus is most often used as an alternative to fatty dips for pita chips as well as celery and/or carrot sticks, but its versatility hardly stops there. 

Hummus can be used as an healthy alternate to mayonnaise.

Recipe 

hummus recipe - creamy dip or spread made from white chickpeas.

INGREDIENTS (1 cup = 250 ml)

• 1.5 cups dried white chickpeas, soaked in water for 8 to 9 hours and then cooked till soft
• ½ cup olive oil, add more if required
• 2 to 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon red chili powder or cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder (jeera powder)
• ½ cup roasted and powdered white sesame seeds or ½ cup tahini
• a few sprigs of parsley or coriander leaves (cilantro)
• salt as required

HOW TO MAKE

1. roast the sesame seeds and then powder these finely.
2. take the cooked chickpeas, all the spices, parsley, salt and garlic in a blender.
3. add the powdered sesame seeds, lemon juice and olive oil.
4. blend to a smooth paste.
5. serve the hummus with warm pita bread garnished with a few sprigs of parsley

RECIPE NOTES

In place of olive oil, you can use any refined oil.