I had a dream last night where I had been planning our dinner for the evening. First off, it was sad I was dreaming about planning dinner. Secondly, in my fantasy, my child was little again and to my surprise was asking for hummus. What’s hummus? It disturbs me to do a bit of research on the topic and it all began with a simple definition.
Once”Googling” the term hummus (also spelled houmous, hommus, or humus), I have discovered that hummus is a dip made up mainly of sesame seed paste and chickpea paste.
Being frugal, I was amazed at just how economical this versatile dip could be! You can create your own hummus by soaking dried chickpeas overnight and then simmering them for about one hour. Once they are cooked, then you grind them in a food processor or hand mixer with a little olive oil and lemon juice. You might also add some of the chickpea broth till you’ve got the desirable”dip-like” consistency. You may use hummus as a dip for veggies, tortilla chips or flatbread which makes this an incredibly versatile staple!
Hummus can be extremely rich in protein, iron and fiber that makes it a real vegetarian’s dream. Create a spicy hummus by adding chopped jalapenos and serve with chopped taco shells. Make an Italian hummus with the addition of fresh basil and chopped tomatoes. Stuff pita shells with hummus, add a little lettuce and make a tasty alternative to the ordinary peanut butter and jelly. The options are endless!