Hummus

Hummus is a very tasty dip from Middle-East. The word 'Hummus' means 'chickpeas' in Arabic.  This is generally served with Pita bread. I love this even with chips.

Ingredients :

For the Tahini paste
1/4 cup Sesame seeds 
1/2 lemon juice
1 tspn garlic paste (or chopped garlic)
2 tbsp olive oil
salt to taste

For Hummus :
1 cup Chickpeas (Kabuli Chana)
1 tbspn garlic paste
1/2 lemon juice
2 tbspns Tahini Paste
Salt to taste
2 tbspns Olive oil
2 tbspns Curd

For Garnishing :
Red Chilly powder / Paprika / Chilly flakes
Olive Oil
Fresh Corriander Leaves / Parsley

Method :

To make Tahini paste

Dry roast the sesame seeds on a griddle for 2-3 minutes. Allow it to cool. Then add all the remaining ingredients and blend it in a mixer to  smooth paste.

To make Hummus :

Soak the chickpeas for 8-10 hours. Add a pinch of soda-bicarb to the water while soaking. Once soaked, rinse the water and boil chickpeas in fresh water till they are soft.

Transfer it into a bowl. Add garlic paste, lemon juice, Tahini paste, salt to taste, olive oil and curd. Blend it into a smooth paste. Add some warm water to facilitate smooth blending, if required. After blending, transfer it into a serving bowl. Sprinkle some red chilly powder or Paprika or chilly flakes over it. Then drizzle some olive oil over it. Lastly garnish it with fresh corriander leaf. 

Notes :

1. To make Hummus more creamier, the peels of chickpeas should be removed.
2. The process of blending should be done when the chickpeas are warm.
3. Baking soda may also be added to the water while boiling chickpeas.