Yum Peaceful Cooking: Southwestern Hummus

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Southwestern Hummus



Do you like hummus? Yes? No? Sometimes? Are you partial to the traditional plain hummus? Or do you like it spiced up a bit?

I love it both ways. Providing it's homemade. But I think I like it a little bit more with a little spice added.

I don't know what made me even try this recipe. Or where I found the recipe originally. Actually, over the years, I have tweaked and altered so is this where I get to call it my own?

Wouldn't you just love to serve this on Super Bowl Sunday and see the faces of the guys when they bite into it, thinking it's guacamole? hahaha!!! I have a brother in-law who doesn't like guacamole (gasp!!!) so it's a good thing my sister told him it was hummus otherwise he'd have missed out on this yummy, healthy treat.

Oh, and ya....he likes it too.

Basically it's the same original hummus recipe...with a few flavorful additions:

2 or 3 garlic cloves
2 - 15 oz cans of chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans) or...you can use fresh, cooked beans
1/4 - 1/3 cup of tahini
1/3 cup lemon or lime juice (fresh is best)
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons sliced nacho style jalapeno chilies (from the jar) or more if you like it hot. remove seeds and veins to reduce heat
Olive Oil and Paprika to garnish

Drain the chickpeas and reserving the liquid



In a food processor, chop the garlic and jalapeno, scraping down the sides as needed. Add the chickpeas and cilantro


oooooh eeeeeeeeem geeeeeee....I just love this stuff!! I swear, I'd be happy just sitting there with my face shoved in a bunch of cilantro, inhaling!!

(clears throat)...ok, focus. Add the tahini



add the lemon juice


Grind for a second and then add some of the chickpea juice


Grind some more. If you need more juice, add some more, a little at a time until you get a nice smooth creamy texture going. You don't want it too watery though. And you won't need all of the juice....so just watch it.


Oh man....if you could smell this! Fresh, spicy with a hint of garlic. Right up my alley!!

Scoop it into a bowl and drizzle some Olive Oil over the top with a sprinkle of Paprika.

Now....what do you think we should we use to scoop up this yummy mouthful of goodness with?

Homemade whole wheat pita?


Talk about some good stuff here. Simple, easy.....unreal! I was amazed at how wonderful these babies turned out. Wanna make 'em? The recipe is in the book "Healthy Bread in 5 Minutes a Day". I'd love to share the recipe with you but have been sworn to secrecy. Sorry :(  I bet you could use just about any bread recipe. Just grab a ball of dough....(after 1st rise), roll it out to about 1/8" thick....bake in a preheated 500' oven for about 5 - 7 minutes and cool, covered with a cotton towel on a cooling rack. Yep...that easy. It puffs up and has the cool little pockets and everything. Maybe I'll dedicate a whole other post to these babies another day.

Anyways....as good (and traditional) as that combo is....I think this hummus is best with tortilla chips.

But this lazy cook didn't go to the grocery store and didn't have any tortilla chips in the cupboard.

What I did have was a bag of corn tortillas


Woooo hooooo!!! Just slice 'em up, pie fashion and fry 'em in a pan of oil until golden brown...only takes a few moments (or if you really must be healthy, bake them. but I have no idea how high or how long....you're on your own there)



Drain on a few paper towels (or if you're in the middle of an online wine club party over at BakeSpace, you'd be using power towels...but thats a story for another time that requires lamp shades and drew scribers.)


And low and behold....you have a gorgeous plate of yummies to present to your Super Bowl guests. Or...just keep it in the kitchen to munch on while you prepare a bowl of potato chips and onion dip for the guys. As if they'd notice anyway, right? (Unless of course you served it while wearing your bathing suit.).

16 comments:

  1. Dani what a trip we were just talkin this kind of food today..I'd eat half that bowl myself..then some Zankou to go with it..lol!..my mom is going to love this recipe..thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a great way to liven up hummus. Your pita bread is positively gorgeous too! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a fabulous take on hummus and yes a perfect way to introduce dislikers of the dish, dont let them know at first what it is, I LOVE the idea, Danielle!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love homemade hummus, too! Sometimes I do mine with white beands if I don't have any chick peas on hand.

    And you made those pitas with the HBin5 dough? I thought I saw something about it in the million group posts, but now I may have to try some!

    ReplyDelete
  5. "power towels"... I'm dying to know what those are? LOL :)

    Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love your mix-ins to the standard hummus, it sounds wonderful. It looks so inviting, and what a great way to use this dough!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Excellent save with the tortillas! I had two extra after our chimichangas the other day and fried them up like this too. The pizza cutter makes quick work of them, doesn't it? If only we'd had your hummus.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great idea on using the corn tortilla's. I love hummus and this recipe certainly hits the spot.
    Your photos also make the dish look inviting. Just want to dip right in there.

    ReplyDelete
  9. That sounds wicked good. I like my hummus fancy!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love hummus!!!!! That is a great idea...... Fantastic flavors.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love chick peas but have never been able to wrap my head around hummus. Maybe I need to give it another chance because yours looks so good.
    Sam

    ReplyDelete
  12. Never thought to make my own corn chips before, what a great idea! Can't wait to try this!

    ReplyDelete
  13. hummus rocks. hummus flavored with copious cilantro must be AMAZING. great idea, danielle, and good for you for making your own chips. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. meximus!! YUM! That looks awesome!!

    ReplyDelete

I apologize for having to use the word verification but you know how spammers are. All comments with links will be treated as spam. Thank you for visiting. I will do my best to return the visit.
Cheers!