Hummus - what is it and how to cook

There are so many different products not known to the Russian people. Granola, macaroon, hummus and many other unfamiliar words fill our store shelves. This article will help you figure out what hummus is and what it is eaten with.

What is hummus

Hummus is a traditional cold snack countries of the East, a unique example of cooking. Represents pate or chickpea puree with olive oil, garlic and spices. For reference, chickpeas are a type of pea that looks like a hazelnut kernel. For which it got its name.

First of all, this dish will be of interest to adherents of a vegetarian view and those who are in constant search of new diets. The hummus snack has an unusual piquant taste, and its energy value will greatly delight those who are losing weight. Only 25 calories in 1 scoop.

The benefits of the main ingredient in hummus, chickpea, are as follows:

• it contains a maximum of protein and a minimum of fats;
• rich in fiber;
• high concentration of all essential vitamins;
• amino acids that are good for the brain;
• regulates cholesterol;
• selenium is useful for the prevention of cancer and aging;
• normalizes blood sugar;
• stimulates the digestive tract;
• rich in iron, which is very important for the female body;
• helps build muscle.

This appetizer goes well with everything, can be served as a sauce for pita bread, chips or bread. It is believed that using cutlery while consuming this dish will spoil its taste. Therefore, it is forbidden to eat it with a spoon or fork. You can only dip pieces of bread into it.

Hummus recipes

To prepare this snack you will need:

• chickpeas a pound;
• olive oil 25-30 ml.;
• sesame seeds 20 g or 6 tablespoons;
• half head garlic;
• lemon juice 4 tablespoons;
• zira 1/2 l.;
• salt and spices to taste.

Cooking method:

1. Cover the chickpeas with water, add a spoonful of baking soda and leave for 12 hours. This is done to make the chickpeas easier to boil, because the product is dry enough.
2. After this time, rinse the beans, transfer to a saucepan and cover with clean water. In a proportion of 1 part chickpea and 4 parts water.
3. Put on low heat, cover and simmer for about 2 hours. The water should evaporate almost completely, and the product itself should become soft. Do not pour out the remaining broth, it will come in handy.
4. At this time, do the dressing sauce.
5. Put the zira in a frying pan and fry over medium heat for 5-7 minutes. The seeds should become fragrant.
6. Add sesame seeds and dry everything together over high heat for a couple of minutes.
7. The seeds should take on a golden hue.
8. Add butter to them and beat into cream with a blender. This sauce is called tahina.
9. Separate the finished chickpeas from the broth and chop in mashed potatoes. It is recommended to add a slice butter, for tenderness. And whip the product itself should only be hot. This will make it easier to grind the chickpeas, and seasonings better reveal their aroma when heated.
10. Add broth, seed paste, garlic and oil. Stir again. In fact, the Russians decided to add the broth. Eastern women, on the other hand, prefer not to spare oil when cooking. It is quite acceptable to pour in about 150 ml per 1 kg of food. Also, do not skimp on spices. What kind of oriental dish would it be without a lot of various spices?
11. The finished dish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

In almost every country, this dish is prepared in its own way, slightly modifying and complementing the classic recipe. You can find a recipe for this snack with the following products:

• cheese tofu;
• almond;
• fresh dill;
• pulp pumpkin;
• soy;
• peeled cucumbers;
• ripe or completely green tomatoes;
• soy sauce.

But the American version of hummus is very different from all others, so we bring it to your attention.

For American hummus you will need:

• fresh herbs basil 100 g;
• boiled chickpeas 400 g;
• beans canned white, in its own juice 1 can;
• olive oil 3 tablespoons;
• a couple of cloves of garlic;
• juice of a quarter of a lemon;
• salt and spices to taste.

How to cook:

1. Dip the basil leaves in boiling water for 20 minutes.
2. Rinse them immediately with ice water.
3. Place in a blender and add the rest of the ingredients. Whisk.
4. The oil should be added gradually to taste. So is lemon juice.
5. Basil greens are a good substitute for cilantro or parsley.

The recipe for hummus with eggplant or zucchini is also quite popular. It is based on the classic recipe, plus 400 g of eggplant / zucchini.

It is best to eat this dish for breakfast, as it is very nutritious and fortified. But it is also possible for lunch or dinner. The appetizer goes well with all types meat and mushrooms.