Hummus is undoubtedly the most recognizable and beloved Middle Eastern dish in Europe. It is certainly a part of the Middle Eastern cultural pride. That is why it is worth learning a little more about this tasty spread!
The main ingredient of hummus is chickpeas, which are full of protein. The flavor of this legume is completely transformed when combined with other ingredients, so mix it with sticky, thick sesame paste (tahini), garlic, lemon juice and olive oil. When making hummus, make sure to use the highest quality ingredients first!
In Lebanon, it is seasoned with salt, pepper and, of course, the national spice, a mixture of seven Lebanese spices. In the basic version, it can also be seasoned with ground cumin or coriander and a clove of garlic, which will delicately enrich the taste of the hummus. It is also worth sprinkling it with chopped parsley, aromatic za’atar and drizzling with olive oil.
If you like cooking with precisely measured ingredients, see our recipe for classic hummus. For those who prefer ready-made solutions, we have created Jasmeen hummus, which you can buy here.
Classic hummus can be transformed into a truly amazing chickpea-based spread by adding a few ingredients. There are so many possibilities, so experiment in the kitchen and create a delicious spread:
sweet potato,
basil,
beetroot,
pumpkin,
carrot,
olive,
pepper,
spinach,
with the addition of avocado, broad beans, mango, jalapeño or sun-dried tomatoes.
You can also enrich your chickpea pastes with various spices, herbs, fruits or vegetables, sprinkling them with:
chilli,
nigella,
granulated garlic,
dukkah,
caramelized onion,
hot pepper,
pomegranate seeds,
toasted chickpeas,
sesame,
chopped herbs: coriander, mint, parsley, basil,
sumac,
dried fruits,
smoked paprika,
za’atar.
Want to try a sweet chickpea spread as a dessert? No problem! You can add to it, for example:
cinnamon,
cocoa,
dates,
peanut butter,
almonds,
honey,
coconut milk,
plant-based drink,
Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, cashew nuts, pecans, walnuts,
gingerbread spice,
dried fruit,
maple syrup,
fresh fruit,
vanilla.
You can find our recipe for flavored chickpea and hummus spreads here.
As you can guess from the number of ingredients that can be added to chickpea-based paste, hummus has many uses! You can eat it, for example:
Hummus is also perfect for making small party finger foods, so if you have a social gathering coming up, check out our recipe.
1. First, its full name is ḥimmaṣ bi ṭaḥīna, which means chickpeas with sesame paste in Arabic.
2. Second, it both unites and divides the entire region – it is a dish for everyone, but belongs to no one. Many countries and nations, including the Israelis and the Lebanese, have been arguing about the homeland of hummus for many years, which is why the origin of hummus has become a symbol of tensions in the Middle East.
3. Third, the dispute over the origin of hummus between Israel and Lebanon led to a Guinness World Record. In 2010, 300 chefs prepared the largest portion of hummus in history near Beirut. Most importantly, it weighed 10,452 kg! What’s more, it is more than twice as heavy as the previous record portion, which was prepared by the Israelis at the time.
To sum up: hummus is delicious, and fascinating!
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LEVANT FOODS Sp. z o.o.
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