Hummus – Chickpeas cream

The Hummus is very popular throughout the eastern Mediterranean in particular Arab countries, Israel and Lebanon.

Do you know how to make Hummus?

There are minor variations, but the base is always the same: boiled chickpeas. The other ingredients are usually Tahini (sesame paste), lemon, extra virgin olive oil or corn, salt, garlic, parsley, paprika or chili. Among the versions proposed Expo 2015, the most appreciated was the Lebanese version, which does not contain garlic satisfied the taste of most people.

hummus

Here is our version:

ingredients:
150 g dried chickpeas or 500 g cooked chickpeas
30 g extra virgin olive oil
15 g cumin
2 garlic cloves
juice of 1 lemon
water
salt
50 g Tahini
2 cloves garlic (optional)
parsley (optional)
paprika (optional)
pepper (optional)

It is preferable to use dried chickpeas and not ones already cooked canned, because it tastier.
So start by putting the dried chickpeas to soak in plenty of cold water and leave for 24 hours.
Drain, wash them well; put them in a pot with cold water and cook simmering for about 2 hours.
In a large pan put olive oil and the garlic-plate, if you want to use and make it brown; add the cumin, leave over low heat without letting it burn and add the chickpeas. Leave in the pan 2/3 minutes, then put it in a blender, add the tahini, lemon juice and whisk adding boiling water until creamy with just the right consistency. Season with salt.

Serve the hummus in a bowl with chopped parsley, pepper or paprika.

The hummus as a traditional Middle East is accompanied by Falafel (meatballs usually made with beans) or unleavened bread, but it is also great with a nice array of home fresh vegetables.