Hummus - Arabic Mezze

Hummus is one of the most famous Arabic Starters, they also call the starters "Mezze". It is served with Pita bread to scoop the dip by hand. 
This dish is delicious and very easy to prepare even if the Westerners think its better to buy the canned Hummus instead of preparing it at home.... Don't be scared of cooking something unusual, to prepare this ethnic dish you will spent just 10 minutes, that is absolutely nothing....

INGREDIENTS:
Servings: 4

1 can chickpeas
2 tbs lemon juice
1 garlic clove
1 tbs Tahina (sesame paste)
salt
4-5 tbs EVO oil + EVO oil for decoration
sweet or hot paprica

What is TAHINA ? It's a sesame seeds paste. You may find it in the ethnic groceries. Don't try to taste it... it may ruin the idea of adding it to the dish: it has a very strong taste! But it's a must for this dish!!!

1. Drain the water from the chickpeas and keep it aside.

2. Put chickpeas, lemon juice, tahina, squeezed garlic, EVO oil in a mixer bowl.
3. Chop all the ingredients together. 
4. Add some chickpeas' water to have a more creamy texture.  

5. Add salt to taste and mix.
6. Serve the dish in a bowl in a traditional shape of a doughnut.
7. Pour some EVO oil in the "doughnut" centre and decorate the dish with some paprica.

That is all!! Easy? I think so.... Enjoy!!!!

Here I served the Hummus (right bowl) and Baba Ghanouj (left bowl) with the Pita bread. 
The recipes are HERE (Baba Ghanouj) and HERE (Pita).

    
  Note: Hummus is also used to serve Kebab or Shawarma as a sauce...