Simple Chickpea Hummus … some things are good when kept basic. It’s nice to master the simplest form of a recipe, then treat is as a canvas and build on it. This is my simplest hummus, absolutely no fuss and finger licking good. It uses basic pantry ingredients if you don’t count the tahini that is. You could always skip it, or make your own. However, a bottle of tahini in the fridge is always handy, and lasts for absolutely forever.I am probably the laziest cook you’d ever find even though I do everything from scratch. So whenever I soak chickpeas overnight for a chana masala the next day, I make sure I soak LOTS! That way I have a cooked batch ready for this, that, AND everything in between. Think savoury chickpea parfaits, oven roasted spicy chickpeas {great snack by the way}, chickpea pumpkin salad, falafal … and so much more.Just toss a handful of cooked chickpeas in any salad to get a hearty helping of plant protein and fibre too. If you are like me, a generous glug of extra virgin olive oil, a sprinkling of chaat masala or sea salt, maybe chopped onions, green chilies & fresh coriander and my meal is done! Layer this with a nicely spike garlic Greek yogurt, cherry tomatoes, walnuts, maybe some nice crispy topping to finish it off … and you have a parfait you can carry to work!
Simple Chickpea Hummus ... some things are good when kept basic. It's nice to master the simplest form of a recipe, then treat is as a canvas and build on it. This is my simplest hummus, absolutely no fuss and finger licking good. It uses basic pantry ingredients if you don't count the tahini that is.
Keyword eggless, gluten free, glutenfree, no bake
Prep Time 5 minutesminutes
Total Time 5 minutesminutes
Servings 4people
Ingredients
Chickpea Hummus
2cupscooked chickpeasroom temperature
3clovesgarlic
1tbsptahini
2tbspextra virgin olive oil
1tspSea salt
1tsproasted cumin powder
Juice of 1 lime
a little aqua faba if required
Garnish
Pomegranate pearls and fresh mint to garnish
A glug of extra virgin olive oil to pour over
Instructions
Place all ingredients except aqua faba in jar of food processor. I used the KitchenAid artisan blender
Process until smooth, adding a little aqua faba if required.
Taste and adjust seasoning.
Transfer to a bowl. Top with a generous glug of extra virgin olive oil, pomegranate pearls and fresh mint.
“Comfort food….food that reassures. Is different things to different people.”
David Tanis
Oat & Wheat Cheese Crackers, and a quick Hummus…for one of those days when you are tired, feeling under the weather and craving comforting food. For days like this only quick, simple and flavourful seriously works. For days like these, a food processor is your best friend. Nothing to beat a workhorse that does everything, takes the work out of the cooking or baking, pampers you unknowingly, and delivers like nothing else!
I had a bunch of chickpeas left over as I boiled extra the other day while stirring up a quick chickpea curry. I always boil extra chickpeas as having some on hand offers plenty of quick rustle up food ideas. Salads for one. I made this layered savoury chickpea parfait often. Doubles up as a healthy, filling and quite delicious tiffin too!
But I was in a mood for crackers. Just one of those strange days where I craved baking something savoury, and had an idea in my head. Working as a fit foodie makes me constantly strive for fun wholegrain alternatives to things. They got to be yum too. I used butter in these crackers, but I think you could easily use olive oil. I might throw in some ground nut meal too the next time to substitute some of the flour. Just a thought…and more ideas to work on!The hummus happened as I was inspired by a quick hummus recipe that popped into my inbox not so long ago. I recall it having sesame paste as optional and it stayed in my head. There is nothing much to a hummus or chickpea dip. Just throw a bunch of ingredients into the faithful food processor, give them a whir. Balance flavours as you so desire.
More garlic if you are like us, more lime juice too. Plenty of extra virgin olive oil, maybe fresh herbs. Skip the smoked paprika if you don’t have some on hand, degi mirch {kashmiri mirch} or red chili flakes. I have to say though that smoked paprika adds some fine earthy, moorish flavours to the dip…
There are other dips you could try. A Quark, Garlic and Chives Dip, Baba Ghanoush or Muhamarra would be wonderful here too. Else if nothing else, some nice cheese, fruit and wine will complete your cheese board.
[print_this]Recipe: Oat & Wheat Cheese Crackers
Summary: Whole grain healthy crackers, bursting with flavours. Crisp, healthy and delicious, they’re a great cheese board option.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes Ingredients:
1/2 cup oats
150g wholewheat flour
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
30g unsalted butter, chilled, cubed
30g cheddar, grated
15g finely chopped garlic greens {about 1/4 cup}
1tsp red chili flakes
1/8 to 1/4 cup cultured buttermilk
Wholewheat flour for dusting
Method:
Preheat the oven to 150C. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment, or lightly grease them.
Place the oats, wholewheat flour, salt and baking soda in bowl of food processor and mix on low for 30 seconds.
Add remaining ingredients except buttermilk and pulse to mix until you get a breadcrumb like mix.
With the processor running on low speed, gradually add the buttermilk 1 tbsp at a time until the dough seems to come together. You will need about a 1/4 cup maybe less.
Turn dough in a bowl and knead together very briefly till it comes together, 20-30 seconds. Divide into 2, then roll out and cut as desired.
Bake for about 30 minutes in a low oven until light golden brown and crisp.
Cool completely and check if crisp. If not leave in a low oven or another 10-15 minutes.
Cool and store in an airtight box.
Recipe: Chickpea Hummus
Summary: A simple chickpea dip, Hummus is ideal to serve with crackers. Hummus is great as a sandwich filling too.
Prep Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes Ingredients:
30g white sesame seeds , toasted
200g {1cup} chickpeas, boiled
4-5 cloves garlic
4-5 stalks chives, chopped
30ml extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp smoked paprika
1tsp roasted ground cumin
Water as required {2-3tbsp}
Extra virgin olive oil to drizzle over, paprika and chives for garnish
Method:
Place the sesame seeds in bowl of food processor and grind.
Add remaining ingredients except water and process until ground into a smooth paste. Gradually add a little water at a time, and continue to process until you get desired consistency
Taste and adjust salt, lime juice etc.
Transfer to a bowl, drizzle over with extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle over smoked paprika and chopped chives.
