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Hummus has been around for centuries. The exact origin is unknown, but the first known recipe of hummus with tahini (hummus bi tahina) is found in cookbooks from 13th century Cairo. Hummus in Arabic means chickpeas, which is the main ingredient of the widely known spread. For centuries, this chickpea spread has been very popular in the Middle Eastern and the North African countries, but since the 21st century, it becomes more and more popular in Western countries too.
In its essence, hummus is a spread made from cooked chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. The possible flavors can vary significantly with the addition of different spices or condiments, for example, ground cumin, sweet or spicy paprika, parsley, pumpkin puree, or curry. Each combination of spices creates a unique flavor. But we are going back to the basics here, looking into the recipe of the traditional hummus recipe with tahini.
Even when talking basics, one does not mean there is some defined correct way to make the hummus. There are plenty of variables: chickpea vs. tahini ratio, quality of each ingredient, whether you decide to pill the skin off of chickpeas, etc. Some say it makes a big difference to mix up the tahini, lemon, and garlic first until it thickens, and then add water to dissolve the paste, only later adding to mashed chickpeas. As per my experience, freshly ground cumin (in pestle and mortar) adds more flavor to the hummus compared to the store-bought pre-ground one. No surprise here, of course: freshly ground spices are generally much more fragrant and therefore add more flavor to the dish, whereas the pre-ground spices lose all the flavors way before they reach your table.
In this Traditional Hummus Recipe with Tahini, we used chickpeas with skin simply to make it easier as well as for the sake of keeping all the fiber. If you prefer a smoother hummus, simply rinse the cooked chickpeas under water and rub them – skins should come off without much effort. Then simply add the rest of the ingredients and mash together in a blender of a food processor. Taste to see if your hummus reaches up to your standards. Add more salt if you find it’s missing saltiness, liquid for a more creamy consistency, tahini for the depth of flavor, or lemon for extra tingliness.
Serve ready hummus in a bowl drizzled with some olive oil and sprinkle with some paprika, add some fresh parsley for decoration. Enjoy it with pita bread, crackers, and sliced veggies of your choice (e.g., paprika, celery, carrots, or cucumbers). Bon appetit!
Serve this Traditional Hummus with Tahini in a bowl drizzled with some olive oil and sprinkle with some paprika, add some fresh parsley for decoration. Enjoy it with pita bread, crackers, and sliced veggies of your choice (e.g., paprika, celery, carrots, or cucumbers).
Hummus can be a part of a wholesome snack, or it can be a great addition to a meal, for example, as a dressing (add more water to the original recipe for a running consistency).
Hummus would make a healthy addition to a balanced diet thanks to being rich in protein and all essential amino acids, complex carbs, dietary fiber, and a range of vitamins and minerals, including B6, manganese, copper, and folate.
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