Friday, March 31, 2006

Spicy Indian Hummus with Grilled Greek Pita

This is my entry to Anthony's Curry Mela this week.

I gave hummus an Indian makeover by adding some Indian spices and adding sesame seeds instead of the tahini paste.

Hummus Recipe

Software
---------------
  • 2 cups chickpeas (soaked overnight and cooked in a pressure cooker, reserve some cooking water)
  • 1/4 cup sesame seeds
  • 3-4 cloves garlic
  • 1 tbsp coriander powder
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 2 tsp chili powder (or less)
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 5-6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • salt, to taste
Hardware
---------------
  • Food processor

Method
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  • Toast the sesame seeds on low heat until they pop and release the oils.
  • Put the sesame seeds in a blender and powder them.
  • Add the chickpeas, garlic cloves, all the spices, the salt, the lemon juice and blend. Stream in the extra virgin olive oil into the food processor as it is blending. If the mixture becomes to thick add some reserved cooking liquid from the chickpeas that were cooked above.
  • Cover and refrigerate.

Pita Bread

I got the regular Greek pita bread at the grocery store, heated up my grill pan, sprayed some pam on one side and grilled it on medium-low heat so the outside becomes crunchy but the inside of the bread is still soft. Spray pam on the other side and repeat. Cut into wedges and serve with the hummus.

The possibilites of hummus are endless - I have eaten it with crackers, chips, pita bread, fresh veggies, a veggie sandwich etc.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hummus is one of my favorites. Should try this Indian version.

Kitchenmate said...

Indian version looks yummy:)

Vineela said...

Hi,
New recipe to me.
Let me try.Nic eto offer as a evening snack for guests.
Vineela

Shammi said...

Looks gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

hi. i love hummus. say, you just fry the sesame seeds, is the paste going to be smoother than when we're using tahini? i love tahini, but if we use it too much, the hummus will be much bitter than what you've expected. anyway, love your site!
best regards from new zealand,
arfi binsted

Luv2cook said...

Gini, Vineela, Santhi:

If you try it let me know how it comes out.

KM & Shammi:

Thanks.

Arfi Binsted:

Thanks for visiting my blog. The paste is smoother. It all depends on how good the sesame seeds are powdered. I did see a few pieces here and there that just escaped the processor blades :-). I love the texture of sesame seeds, so next time, I think I am going to add some in without powdering them :-).

Anonymous said...

I had my first Hummus experience at a Lebanese Cafe in Dallas, ...The stuff is addictive
and very Healthy! BG

Anonymous said...

I love Hummus and I love your blog. Indian food is one of my favourite foods out there and above all, my Prep-Table Partner at School is from India too (Poor Girl - I always ask her for recipes but she would never share them with me)

Jim said...

this is AWESOME! thanks so much!

Megan said...

Found your recipe online yesterday and made it last night for a group of friends. They all loved it and asked for the recipe! I know you posted this years ago, but thanks, it was delicious!

Anonymous said...

I just made that recipe--using tahini paste (1/4 cup) and canned garbanzos instead of the seeds and olive oil. It is absoultely delicious!