Hummus is a very common dish in Israel. It is served in restaurants, street cafés, and fast-food kiosks. Hummus is a paste made from chickpeas (garbanzo beans) combined with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, paprika, and often tahini. Tahini is a sesame seed paste.
Despite its Middle Eastern origins and popularity, hummus is beloved by vegetarians worldwide. Plant genetics researchers in Rehovot (a city in Israel) have confirmed that hummus contains substances incredibly beneficial to health: its minerals and proteins slow down skin aging processes. Hummus is rich in antioxidants (substances that prevent oxidation), protein, and essential minerals like calcium and iron.
Traditionally, when a guest arrives, the table is filled with numerous appetizers, most of which are various pickles.
Pita is a thin, white, unleavened, round bread that is also traditionally served at the table. Pita is a convenient fast food item; during its preparation, steam forms inside the dough, creating a "pocket" by separating the dough layers. This pocket can be filled with hummus, salads, French fries (if desired), meat, or any other filling of choice, creating a convenient and tasty sandwich:)
At the table, pita is used as bread and is often torn into pieces to scoop up hummus and eaten that way.
Now for the recipe, in case someone wants to try making hummus themselves. Here’s a little secret — it’s already available in supermarkets or kosher food shops (there used to be one near the Synagogue at Palats Sportu).
- 1 cup of dried chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
- 1 lemon
- 3 garlic cloves
for the tahini::
- ½ cup sesame seeds
- 1 tsp. cumin
- olive oil
- 1 tsp. cumin
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Soak the chickpeas overnight. Before cooking, drain the water and refill with fresh water. When it starts boiling, skim the foam and let it boil for about 15 minutes. Drain the first batch of water, refill with fresh water, and cook on low heat under a lid until tender, which takes about 2 hours. But you did want to make hummus yourself, right?:)
While the chickpeas are cooking, you can prepare the tahini. Toast the sesame seeds and a bit of cumin in a dry pan (if you don’t have cumin, caraway seeds will work just fine), then grind them into a paste with olive or sesame oil.
Once the chickpeas are ready, reserve some of the cooking water for the hummus and set aside a few boiled beans for garnish.
In a blender, combine the garlic, cooked chickpeas, and a bit of the reserved cooking water (add it gradually to monitor the consistency). Blend until it reaches the texture of thick semolina. Carefully drizzle in olive oil while blending to incorporate it smoothly.
Transfer the hummus to a serving dish, garnish with whole cooked chickpeas, sprinkle with paprika or toasted pine nuts, and add fresh herbs or other toppings of your choice.
for the tahini::
- ½ cup sesame seeds
- 1 tsp. cumin
- olive oil
- 1 tsp. cumin
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Soak the chickpeas overnight. Before cooking, drain the water and refill with fresh water. When it starts boiling, skim the foam and let it boil for about 15 minutes. Drain the first batch of water, refill with fresh water, and cook on low heat under a lid until tender, which takes about 2 hours. But you did want to make hummus yourself, right?:)
While the chickpeas are cooking, you can prepare the tahini. Toast the sesame seeds and a bit of cumin in a dry pan (if you don’t have cumin, caraway seeds will work just fine), then grind them into a paste with olive or sesame oil.
Once the chickpeas are ready, reserve some of the cooking water for the hummus and set aside a few boiled beans for garnish.
In a blender, combine the garlic, cooked chickpeas, and a bit of the reserved cooking water (add it gradually to monitor the consistency). Blend until it reaches the texture of thick semolina. Carefully drizzle in olive oil while blending to incorporate it smoothly.
Transfer the hummus to a serving dish, garnish with whole cooked chickpeas, sprinkle with paprika or toasted pine nuts, and add fresh herbs or other toppings of your choice.
