Tuesday, September 29, 2009

hummus

I haven't always liked hummus.
but it's been a favorite in our house for quite some time now.
In California, the little fusion Mexican restaurant close to our house, served hummus with chips and salsa.  
Trader Joes also makes great hummus- and we frequently purchased it.
(I miss Trader Joes.)
When I was doing a study abroad in Israel 12 years ago (what?  how was it really that long ago), I ate hummus, but it wasn't my favorite then. I remember waking up after way too little sleep, at way too early in the morning, so I could hike with some friends to watch the sunrise over the Sea of Galilee (way too cool, huh?).  I opened my door to my friend who was all dressed, ready to hike, hair combed (well as combed as Seth Wheeler's hair really gets), bright, cheery, food in hand saying "Good morning Toria!  Pita and hummus?"
I think I passed.
and rolled my eyes at his bright eyed and bushy tailed-ness.
but I still laugh when I offer hummus to someone who thinks it's disgusting or who's tasting it for the first time.
because I think of my friend Seth, and I hear that chipper little voice.
"Good morning!  Pita and hummus"
it makes me smile.

and with that random story introduction, I share, a recipe, for your snacking pleasure:

Creamy Hummus:

2 cans of chickpeas rinsed and drained (19 oz. can size)
1/2 c. tahina
2-3 cloves garlic
2-3 T. fresh lemon juice (I squeeze juice fm 1-2 lemons, so maybe that's more than 2-3 T?)
1 T. extra virgin olive oil
1 T. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. salt (a heaping 1/2 tsp)
1/4 tsp black pepper
3/4 c. water

I throw all ingredients, (except water) in the food processor and process until smooth adding the water slowly through the feed tube on the top, stopping a few times to scrape down the sides.  I usually do the measuring and let Asher do the rest.  He loves to do the "grinding" and the pouring.

tweak the recipe to your liking.  
adjust the lemon juice, garlic and seasoning.  
My friend Dianna tosses a handful of peanuts into the mix just for kicks.
Add an avocado and make avocado hummus- that's a crowd pleaser.
Red pepper hummus is delish too- but I haven't actually made that kind- when I do, maybe I'll share the how to.
serve with veggies, flat bread, tortilla chips (oooh homemade tortilla chips, I'll share my recipe for those sometime soon too) anything really.
My brother uses it instead of mayo on his sandwiches with his yummy bread.

Enjoy!
Marhaba! (your welcome)

*post edit*
 tahina aka tahini or tahini paste or ground sesame seeds.  
chickpeas are aka garbanzo beans.

2 comments:

  1. We love hummus. can't wait to try it what is tahina?

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  2. oh sorry Melissa. Tahina or tahini paste (it's ground sesame seeds). You could definitely find it at places like Whole foods, but I'm sure a regular grocery store might have it- it's just been so long, I don't know if I could tell you where. Next time I come, I'll bring you a huge can!!!

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