Hummus

Ingredients:

1.5 cups dried White Chickpeas (soaked overnight in water); ½ cup Olive Oil; 3 chopped Garlic Cloves; 1 tbsp. Lemon Juice; ½ tsp. Red Chilli Powder; ½ tsp. Pepper Powder; ½ tsp. Cumin (Jeera) Powder; ½ cup Tahini or Roasted and Powdered White Sesame Seeds; sprigs of Coriander Leaves; Salt to taste.

Method:

Pressure cook the white chickpeas (soaked overnight) till soft. Roast the sesame seeds and powder fine. Blend together the cooked chickpeas, all the spices, coriander salt and garlic, till it becomes a smooth paste. Add the powdered sesame seeds, lemon juice and olive oil. Manually whip till blended. Garnish hummus with Red Chilli Powder a top and sprinkle few coriander/parsley sprigs.

Chef Tip:

For those who like flavored hummus, it is recommended to add your favorite herb or spice to the blender with the ingredients. Eg: Basil, Red Chilli flakes, Mustard, Crushed Pepper or Oregano, as per your taste. Serve the hummus with falafel bullets and pita bread with pickled veggies.

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Falafel Kebabs With Dressing:

Ingredients:

½ cup Kabuli Chana (White Chick Peas soaked overnight and drained); 1 tbsp. chopped Garlic; ¼ cup chopped Onions; 2 tbsp. chopped Parsley; 1 tbsp. chopped Coriander; 1 tbsp. chopped Mint Leaves; ½ tsp. Cumin Seeds (Jeera) Powder; ¼ tsp. Baking Powder; 1 tsp. Green Chilli Paste; Salt to taste and Oil for deep-frying.

Method:

Combine the kabuli chana, garlic, onions, parsley, coriander, mint leaves, cumin seeds powder and salt and blend in a mixer to a coarse mixture using approx. ¼ cup of water. Transfer the mixture into a bowl, add the baking powder and green chilli paste and mix well. Divide the mixture into equal portions.  Shape portions into small round balls and deep-fry in a deep kadhai, till they turn golden brown. Drain on an absorbent paper and keep aside.

Ingredients for Dressing:

Mix together: 1 cup Whisked Curd; ¼ cup chopped Spring Onions (Whites and Greens); ½ tsp. chopped Garlic; a pinch of Sugar and Salt to taste.

To Make Your Own Pita Pockets:

Take Pita Bread and spread hummus thoroughly into the pita pocket. Fill in the pickled veggies lettuce and mayonnaise. Put in the fried Falafel (kebabs) and fill it up again with a spread of hummus, garlic mayonnaise, dressing and pickled veggies. Grill for a minute. Serve with pickled veggies, jalepenos and Olives. Enjoy!!.