SAEDNEWS: A clear, step-by-step recipe for Lebanese hummus with background, exact ingredients, cooking instructions, tips, notes on its temperament and its health benefits.
Hummus, made from chickpeas and tahini, is a popular Arab dish that is also enjoyed across the Mediterranean and the Middle East. It is primarily served as an appetizer and as part of mezze on reception platters. In many Arab countries, hummus is commonly served as a starter alongside baba ghanoush, tabbouleh salad, and pita bread.
Because the main ingredient of Lebanese hummus is chickpeas, it is a very suitable option for vegetarians.
The history of hummus dates back to the 13th century (Hijri) in Egypt, and during the Crusades foods like hummus were given to soldiers as a reward.
Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
Chickpeas | 1 cup |
Garlic | 2 cloves |
Tahini (ardeh) | half a cup |
Lemon juice | 1/4 cup |
Olive oil | 1/4 cup |
Salt and pepper | As needed |
Paprika | If desired, 1/3 teaspoon |
First, soak the chickpeas for 12 hours and change their water several times.
Put the chickpeas in a pot or pressure cooker with water until they are fully cooked and soft.
When the chickpeas are cooked, pour them into a colander but do not discard their water; put the chickpeas, tahini (ardeh) and the remaining ingredients into a food processor along with a few tablespoons of the chickpea cooking water and blend the ingredients.
If the hummus is stiff, add a little olive oil and some of the chickpea water to soften it a bit.
Then pour it into the desired serving dish and garnish with chickpeas, olive oil, pepper and parsley, and serve.
Note 1: Because this dish depends on personal taste, it is better to prepare a small amount first to test; if you like it, prepare a larger quantity.
Note 2: Hummus is served with pita bread, but because I did not have pita bread I served it with fried lavash bread on the side.
The temperament of chickpeas is warm and dry. The temperament of olive oil is warm and dry. The temperament of tahini (ardeh) is warm and moist, so we conclude this dish has a warm temperament.
Hummus contains abundant amounts of iron, vitamin C, calcium, folate, vitamin B6 and protein. It also contains a large amount of fiber, which is beneficial for better digestive system function.
