Hummus & Baba Ghanoush Recipe

Ingredients

For Hummus

Dried Chickpeas (soaked for 12 hours) 100 gms

Cooked Chickpeas 225 gms

Cold water/ice cubes 70 ml

Tahini 35 gms

Garlic 1 clove

Lemon Juice 2 tbsp

Salt ½ tsp

Olive Oil 20 gms

For Hummus Garnish

Olive oil 15 ml

Paprika as required

For Baba Ghanoush

Eggplants (medium) 2 pieces

Onion (small, finely chopped) ¼ piece

Garlic (finely chopped) 1 clove

Red /Green Pepper (finely chopped) 2 tbsp

Lemon juice ¼ cup

Olive oil ¼ cup

Cumin Seeds (toasted &crushed) ½ tsp

Salt as required

Tomatoes (finely chopped) 1 small

Parsley (finely chopped) ¼ bunch

Mint (finely chopped) 2 tbsp

Method

Method for Hummus

1. Wash the soaked chickpeas and simmer in plenty of water for 4 hours until they become soft and tender. The chickpeas can be boiled in a pressure cooker to shorten the cooking time.

2. Blend the chickpeas in the food processor until smooth.

3. Add the cold water/ice cubes in batches until the desired consistency is reached and blend for another minute.

4. Add the tahini, garlic, lemon juice, salt and blend for 2 minutes.

5. Finally add the olive oil and adjust the taste. Hummus must be tangy, rather than salty. The flavor of tahini and garlic must be subtle and not overpowering.

Method for Baba Ghanoush

1. Pierce the eggplants using a fork or the tip of a knife, then roast in the oven on very high heat until the skin is charred/ burnt or it can be roasted directly on a gas flame until the skin is burned and the eggplants are cooked. If roasted on a gas flame, the eggplant must be constantly rotated to ensure even cooking.

2. Cool and peel the eggplants. Ensure that the charred black skin particles are completely removed, else they will be visible in the Baba Ghanoush.

3. Place the eggplants in a colander and put them in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

4. Using a knife, cut the eggplants into small pieces, and then adds the onion, garlic, bell peppers, lemon juice, olive oil, season with salt and cumin. Mix using a fork in a mashing movement.

5. Add the tomatoes, parsley and mint.

6. Adjust the seasoning and sourness.

7. Pour the mixture into a serving plate and sprinkle some pomegranate molasses, pomegranate seeds and olive oil on top.

8. This dish is best served chilled.