I had a dream last night where I was planning our dinner for the night. First off, it was sad that I was dreaming about planning dinner. Secondly, in my dream, my child was small again and to my surprise was asking for hummus. What is hummus? It spurred me to do a little research on the subject and it all started with a simple definition.
After “Googling” the word hummus (also spelled houmous, hommus, or humus), I have found 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. Mostly a accepted food in the Middle East, hummus’ popularity is quickly spreading throughout the world.
Being frugal, I was also astounded at how cheap this versatile dip can be! You can make your own hummus by soaking dried chickpeas overnight and then simmering them for about an hour. After 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 desired “dip-like” consistency. Add garlic, salt, parsley, onion, cumin, or chili powder to taste. You can use hummus as a dip for vegetables, tortilla chips or flatbread making this an incredibly versatile staple!
Hummus is also extremely rich in protein, fiber and iron which makes it a true vegetarian’s dream. Make a spicy hummus by adding chopped jalapenos and serve with chopped taco shells. Create 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 possibilities are endless!
I need to have more dreams like this one… We may be having hummus for dinner tonight after all.
Source: www.ezinearticles.com
