Hummus: The Middle Eastern spread  that  Unites & Divides

The word hummus,is an Arabic word meaning “chickpea.” --a Arab dip or spread that is made from chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) that have been cooked and mashed, then blended with tahini (a paste made from sesame seeds), olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and salt. It is pronounced in different ways: the Americans say hum-mus,whereas those with roots in Israel pronounce it as "choo-moose", where "ch" is the gutteral  sound we do not  have in English.

 

Hummus is more than just a dish. When famous American chef, author and TV personality visited  Israel and Palestine it became very clear to him that the  ownership of hummus was vociferously disputed. But we know that chickpeas are known to man almost 10,000 years back, much before there were Israelis or Arabs. The Greeks loved it and the Romans made various dishes with it. .Greece, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Palestine, Turkey, Syria and Lebanon  claim historical ownership to this delicious and nutritious spread. Of all the conficts that plague this region, the fight over hummus  is by far the most  harmless and  absolutely delicious.

Where it truly originated, , no one can say for sure, though the earliest mention of the spread dates back to Egypt during the 13th century. The beige spread stuffed into pitas, used as a  dip and served at every Middle Eastern eatery is also an appetizer.

 No matter where it originated or who makes the best hummus,the truth is it is now recognized as the super supplement for the 21 st Century woman. This ‘ancient meal’ with profuse health benefits, has become so popular that actresses such as Sonam Kapoor and  Natalie Portman today swear by it !

Here’s why:

The main ingredient of hummus, chickpea is admired and consumed all over the world attributing to its high nutritional quality which provides a range of health benefits.
While most women today are facing a number of health issues at an early age, Hummus for them is no less than a super food.

Ideal for Skin and Blood
Made up of large amount of protein, Hummus is essential as a building block of the skin, blood, muscles and bones. It’s an added benefit for vegetarians as they can make up for the proteins that people gain from meat. Being a rich source of protein it helps balance sugar levels in the blood stream and also fights against sugar cravings.
Hummus is also reported to contain iron which boosts the energy levels enabling one to be able to train in the gym therefore losing excess weight. 

High in fibre content
Enriched with high content of fibre which helps keep the digestive tract regular having hummus regularly is one of the most effective ways to ensure that fibre is being included in the diet.  A recent study states, “Consumption of fibre-rich hummus has been proven beneficial in the regulation of bowel movements and brings relief from constipation.”

Fights cancer

Hummus has been found to work against the growth of various cancer cells owing to the presence of various healthful components such as phytic acid and saponins in chickpeas. Hummus being a resource of fibre keeps the harmful toxins from binding with the colon lining and flushes them from the body.
Also, beans contain folate (Folic acid, one of the B vitamins that is a key factor in the synthesis (the making) of nucleic acid-DNA and RNA) and this can help in reducing the risk of getting colorectal cancer. This is because folate helps with division and multiplication of healthy cells in the body.

Natural anti-oxidant resulting in leaner muscle and stronger bones

The ingredients of hummus-- tahini and chick peas-- contain calcium and amino acids which help in maintaining the health of bones and muscles. This is important especially for aged women as their bones are fragile and break easily. It also helps with prevention of osteoporosis in aged people by strengthening their bones.
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins which are found in chickpeas and the body uses it for physiological processes such as muscular strength, repairing of tissues, functioning of brain and energy production.

Get Grilling

Ingredients:-
Assorted Bell Peppers
Mushrooms
Potatoes
Corn
Roasted Bell Pepper Hummus

Prepare:-
1) Slice the vegetables long and thin.soak them in water for 5-10 minutes.
2)Heat the grill on medium flame for a few minutes and place the vegetables on it.
3) Sauté the vegetables and take them off from the grill once they are tender.
4) Season with herbs, lime juice or black pepper.
5) Dip into  Roasted Bell Pepper Hummus for scrumptious Mediterranean goodness.

Hummus Devilled Eggs

Ingredients:-
Boiled eggs
Garlic hummus
Black pepper for seasoning

Prepare:-
1) Peel and slice the boiled eggs into two halves.
2) Scoop the yolks out and mash and mix them with Garlic Hummus in a bowl.
3) Spoon the mixture into the egg white.
4) Add salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy eggs like never before!

Cucumber Hummus Stacks:

Ingredients:-
Cucumbers
Cherry Tomatoes
Olive oill

 Garlic Hummus

Prepare:-
1)Slice fresh cucumbers and layer them with Garlic Hummus.
2)Add a cherry tomato on each slice and place a toothpick to hold  a stack of two cucumbers and cherry tomatoes together.
3) Season with black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.

Enjoy freshness like never before!

Hummus Salad:

Ingredients:-
Lettuce
Cucumbers
Onions
Cherry Tomatoes
Olives
Beetroot Hummus

Prepare:-
1) Chop the vegetables and add them in a bowl.
2) Add Beetroot Hummus to coat the vegetables completely.
3) Drizzle Olive oil and black pepper for seasoning

Relish your crunchy salad!

Recipes by Chef Nandan,Chef’s Basket