This well liked Greek starter of pureed chickpeas flavored with lemon, herbs and spices can be traced back as far as ancient Greece, from where the practice of mashing pulses originates
Ingredients:
7oz (200g) chick peas
2 cloves of garlic
3 tablespoons of olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
4 tablespoons of lemon juice
3 tablespoons ground sesame seeds (tahin)
3 tablespoons of water
one third of a teaspoon of pepper
one third of a teaspoon of cumin
1 level teaspoon of salt
chopped parsley, for garnish
Cooking Instructions:
Place the chick peas in a large bowl and leave to soak overnight
Boil the soaked chickpeas until soft, then drain and allow to cool
Place the ground sesame seeds in a bowl and dilute with water
Put the chick peas in a mixer and while grinding add the ground sesame seeds, salt, garlic, pepper, lemon juice and olive oil
Continue grinding until the hummus becomes smooth and creamy
Serve cold sprinkled with paprika and garnished with finely chopped parsley