This blog is my collection of healthy recipes and other health and nutrition related information from all over the web. This is just my way of sharing all the healing goodness with my family and friends.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Hummus

This is a slightly Indian-ised version of the traditional hummus. The ideal healthy way is to eat it with celery sticks, cucumber and carrots. 
Ingredients:
  • Boiled chickpeas
  • 1-2 tbsp Tahini sauce 
  • 2 cloves garlic (can also try roasted garlic)
  • 1 green chilli
  • 1/4tbsp roasted jeera powder
  • lemon juice
  • red chilli powder & salt
  • fresh coriander
Process
  • Soak the chole 12-24 hours and then cook them on slow gas for about 4-5 whistles. You want the chickpeas to be super soft and their outer skin should start to peel off. This will result in a super creamy hummus otherwise you will have a dry and gritty mixture. (PS:You can try putting garlic cloves while boiling the chickpeas too). Do not throw the water away and use the same water for making the hummus thin.
  • Mix them all in the blender. Add some water to keep the consistency a bit thin. You can more chilli powder, salt and lime juice as per taste.
  • Before serving season with 1tbsp extra virgin olive oil and red chilli powder
Making Tahini Paste at home: If you are keen you can make tahini paste at home as well
  • White hulled or unhulled sesame seeds
  • Olive Oil
  • Salt (If you want, I personally don't add any)
Dry roast sesame seeds: Toast the seeds until they are lightly colored (not brown) and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer the toasted sesame seeds to a large plate or tray and let them cool completely.
Blend the seeds first in the food processor and then add 2-3 tbsp olive oil. Can add more oil for thinner consistency.
Can keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 weeks and maybe longer.

Notes:
  • Store bought tahini is typically made from white hulled sesame seeds - this gives the tahini a lighter color and smoother texture. Tahini made from unhulled sesame seeds is not quite as smooth, but it has a richer (sometimes more bitter) flavor and potentially more nutrients. I personally use unhulled seeds. 



2 comments:

Anu Sharma said...

You suggest roasting sesame for tahini. Does roasting retain nutrition? Can we make tahini without roasting sesame seeds

Unknown said...

So technically you could make tahini with raw sesame seeds but I am not too sure of the taste - soak them in water for 4-8 hours and then rinse them and put them in the fridge/counter top to sprout for another four hours and then blend them in a mixer along with all the ingredients. I have not tried to make it raw but now since you mention, will try it the next time