I had a dream last night where I was planning our dinner for the evening. First off, it was sad I was dreaming about planning dinner. Secondly, in my dream, my child was small again and to my surprise was asking for hummus. What’s hummus? It spurred me to do a little research on the topic and it all started with a simple definition.
After”Googling” the term hummus (also spelled houmous, hommus, or humus), I have discovered that hummus is a dip made up mostly of sesame seed paste and chickpea paste. Common flavoring additives include lemon juice, paprika, garlic and olive oil. Largely a accepted food in the Middle East, hummus’ popularity is quickly spreading throughout the world.
Being frugal, I was also astounded at just how economical this versatile dip can be! You can create your own hummus by soaking dried chickpeas overnight and then simmering them for about one hour. Once they are cooked, you grind them in a food processor or hand mixer with a little olive oil and lemon juice. You may also add some of the chickpea broth until you have the desirable”dip-like” consistency. Add garlic, salt, parsley, onion, cumin, or chili powder to taste. You may use hummus as a dip for veggies, tortilla chips or flatbread which makes this an incredibly versatile staple!
Hummus is also extremely rich in protein, iron and fiber which makes it a real vegetarian’s dream. Make a spicy hummus by adding chopped jalapenos and serve with chopped taco shells. Make an Italian hummus by adding fresh basil and chopped tomatoes. Stuff pita shells with hummus, add a little lettuce and create a tasty alternative to the normal peanut butter and jelly. The options are endless!