Hummus is a popular Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dish made with chickpeas, tahini, lemon, garlic, and salt. It can be customized with various spices and additives. It can be made from scratch with soaked and cooked chickpeas or canned chickpeas. Hummus is a healthy alternative to high-fat spreads and can be used as a dip, spread, or topping.
Hummus is believed to be one of the oldest prepared foods known to civilization. While the historical origins of hummus are unknown, many Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries are considering its creation. The cooks of each country produce hummus according to their preferences, according to agriculture, tastes and traditions.
There are many ways to make hummus. The main ingredients are chickpeas or chickpeas; with tahini (sesame butter), lemon, garlic and salt to complement its special flavor. Special signature additives include cayenne, chili powder, coriander, cumin, dill, mint leaves, paprika, parsley, olive oil, olives, roasted garlic, roasted peppers, shallots, sweet pickle relish, tomatoes, turmeric and vinegar.
To make hummus, you need to prepare the chickpeas ahead of time. This involves soaking them overnight and then simmering them for several hours until very soft. Because this process is the longest part of the recipe, many people cook a large batch of chickpeas at once. They then prepare several small batches and freeze them for future use.
The alternative is to use canned chickpeas for hummus. This cuts preparation time, but canned goods include an excessive amount of additives and stabilizers. Another option is buying organic canned chickpeas as they are preserved with seaweed or other natural preservatives.
Most chefs prefer to make hummus by placing cooked chickpeas in a food processor. This makes the dough smoother and richer and is much faster than beating with an electric mixer. Once the chickpeas are blended, start adding the tahini until the paste is smooth and creamy. The hummus can then be seasoned to taste with lemon, garlic and salt along with one of the alternative options.
People use hummus as an appetizer to serve with crackers, veggies, or pita bread. It’s also a great spread for sandwiches and burgers, as well as a topping for grilled chicken, fish, and baked potatoes. Hummus is also the famous, only spread used with falafel.
Health-conscious people like to make hummus and replace it with mayonnaise and other high-fat spreads. It contains no cholesterol or saturated fat, while being rich in fiber and protein. Because of its pleasant taste, hummus is not isolated from vegetarian dishes but crosses all lines and is served with a variety of foods.
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