Hummus

Hummus is a healthy middle eastern chickpea dip, gently spiced and blended. This is eaten with pita bread or crackers or served as a part of mezze platter.

Preparation time:30 minutes

Serves:6-8

Ingredients:

1 cup dry chickpeas soaked overnight

1/4 cup tahini(ground sesame paste)

1 tablespoon olive oil(more if you like)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

5 garlic cloves

1 teaspoon salt

1 green chili(optional for spice)

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon sumac(optional)

Procedure:

1.Take the chickpeas in a pressure cooker and add enough water to submerge the chickpeas, add 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook for 2 whistles and turn off the stove. Once the steam is gone drain the chickpeas. Keep the water.

2.Add 1 teaspoon olive oil in a pan and roast the garlic.

3.Take the tahini, cumin, salt, chili, garlic cloves, remaining olive oil, lemon juice in a blender and blend. Add the chickpeas and blend to a smooth paste. Add the drained water if the mixture is too thick. Adjust salt. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle sumac powder on top.

Tips:

Hummus Traditionally served with Pita bread or in a mezze platter.

There are many variations of hummus with pine nuts,roasted red pepper,sundried tomatoes etc.

Tahini and sumac can be found in middle eastern stores.