Baba Ghanoush: An Appetizing Appetizer

Baba Ghanoush: An Appetizing Appetizer

The culinary world is as diverse and unique as the nations where the dishes originate from. It carries the traditions and flavors from various places and puts it conveniently on a plate. Delicacies from the Middle East, such as  tahini, tabouli, and hummus, are some of the most interesting ones. Today, we’ll talk about yet another Levantine dish – baba ghanoush, an appetizing appetizer.

What is Baba Ghanoush?

Baba ghanoush, also known as baba ghanouj or baba ganoush, is taking both fine dining and home settings by storm. It is widely recognized as a dish mainly made of mashed, cooked eggplant combined with several seasonings, tahini, and olive oil.

Baba ghanoush is a delicacy that has a distinct smoky taste. The ideal serving of this dish is as a cold or room temperature spread and it goes incredibly well with pita bread. Although, some enjoy it on it’s own, and that’s absolutely fine!

How to Prepare Baba Ghanoush at Home

You don’t have to go to a restaurant or visit the grocery in order to enjoy a piece of heaven that is baba ghanoush. You just need a few ingredients and you can easily whip up this Levantine dish at home! This includes the following:

– One large eggplant

– Garlic cloves

– Pinch ground cumin

– Olive oil

– Brine-cured black olives

– Tahini

– Fresh lemon juice

– Flat-leaf parsley

– Salt to taste

Baba Ghanoush and Veggies - For the Love of HummusAs far as cooking necessities, begin preparing a charcoal grill and an oven. The first step is to grill the eggplant until the outer skin turns black and you see a soft flesh, which is usually done within 10 to 15 minutes. After which, bake it in the oven for around 15-20 minutes until very soft.

Once that’s done, allow the eggplant to cool a bit and then peel the skin. Mash the eggplant in a bowl and then mix the other ingredients together, with variations in salt, lemon juice, and tahini according to your taste. Drizzle olive oil, sprinkle some parsley, put some olives on the sides for presentation, and voila! Enjoy!

The Battle Between Baba Ghanoush and Hummus

As far as nutritional value is concerned, baba ghanoush and hummus are often compared with each other. So which one is better? It really depends on what you need.

When talking about similarities, both hummus and baba ghanoush have no cholesterol content. As a matter of fact, they both contain unsaturated fats, which are instrumental to cardiovascular health through low cholesterol levels and decreased inflammation.

When talking about differences, baba ghanoush has more potassium content, which is essential to regular heartbeat and optimal nerve and muscle function. On the other hand, hummus has more B-vitamin content for energy and lesser risks of cardiovascular problems. Either way, both are good for you.

So, ready to whip up a healthy dish of baba ghanoush? You know you want to try it!

Baba Ghanoush - An Appetizing Appetizer - For the Love of Hummus

Tabouli Recipe

Tabouli Recipe

Tabouli Recipe - For the love of hummusEvery household should have a Tabouli recipe. this dish is so healthy and is often used in clean eating diets around the world. In fact, there is really nothing in tabbouleh that is bad for you.

In every town everywhere, salads have become a staple food that augments the taste and flavor of everyday food. Tabouli, or Tabbouleh, is one that can be enjoyed as a vegetarian dish that makes every meal healthier. This spectacular dish is usually served with flat bread and usually comes out with Hummus. 

While it is gaining popularity, not everyone knows how to create a basic Tabouli. So how do you concoct this delicious yet nutritious dish? Here is a simple way to create Tabouli.

Prepare the Ingredients

wheat

Here are the common components of Tabouli, which may vary according to your taste:

  • 1 cup of water
  • 1 cup of fine cracked wheat
  • ½ cup, minced fresh mint leaves
  • 1 cup, minced fresh parsley leaves
  • ½ cup, finely chopped yellow onion
  • 3 diced tomatoes
  • 2 seeded and diced cucumbers
  • 3 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice, depending on preference
  • 1 teaspoon of sea salt

How to Create Tabouli

Get a large mixing bowl and pour the water over the cracked wheat. Cover it and then let it stand for around 20 minutes until the water is fully absorbed and the wheat becomes tender. After which, you may put in the vegetables and herbs and then mix thoroughly. In a separate bowl, mix the salt, lemon juice, and oil. Once it is thoroughly mixed, add it to the main bowl and then chill. You now have made a simple Tabouli!

After you’ve perfected these steps, you can then go on to make variations and experiment with the main ingredients. Don’t be afraid to add your own personality to the dish! Eat with hummus (or a hummus variation) and flatbread for an incredible snack.

Tabouli-Recipe-fortheloveofhummus

Tabouli: Its History and Health Benefits

Tabouli: Its History and Health Benefits

Lets explore Tabouli: Its History and Health Benefits so we all know it’s origins. Tabouli is a healthy food that has shown up on the menu in many cultures around the world in modern times.

Food is rarely left out of the picture in every household around the world. Every recipe served in different countries is customized to fit those who consume this super healthy dish. While this is good and creative, this sometimes makes us forget where a certain delicacy really originated from, and one of which is tabouli.

Its History and Health Benefits

What’s Tabouli?

Tabouli, or also spelled as Tabbouleh, is a Levantine vegetarian dish which is also considered as a salad. It has many variations of ingredients, making it a favorite for those who love unique concoctions.

This dish is also known to be a traditional part of diets in the Arab countries. Armenians and Turks have also adapted the recipe and made revisions to make it more appealing to their taste. Tabbouleh

 has many health benefits and as such is currently growing in popularity in western cultures.

Where did it Originate?

While every place has their own version, the original recipe of tabouli came from the mountains of Lebanon and Syria, and it was an important part of their diet during the Middle Ages. While it was criticized before due to its lack of meat components, it still rose to fame because of its health benefits and taste as well.

In today’s current era, it is well-known as a Lebanese dish that speaks of their identity. It has never left the table of every home, and, as you know, has now made its way to different parts of the world.

Health Benefits of TabouliIts History and Health Benefits

Ever since the dish was created, tabouli gained its appeal for being a healthy dish. It owes it in large part from the ingredients in making this Levantine salad.

Here are some of its ingredients and benefits:

  • Bulgur – low fat content, high fiber and protein
  • Onion – has cardiovascular, respiratory, and anti-cancer properties
  • Garlic – natural antibiotic, manages cholesterol and hypertension
  • Parsley – great source of vitamins and minerals
  • Peppermint – major natural treatment for common gastrointestinal problems
  • Cucumbers – rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals
  • Tomatoes – helps improve bone mass, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
  • Lemon juice – aids in food digestion and cleanses the liver
  • Olive oil – helps combat the development of diabetes
  • Allspice – relieves mild pain and treats infections

Now that’s a lot of benefits packed in a simple salad! It just gives you all the more reasons to try it once in awhile. Tabouli is often served with hummus and prepared meats such as lamb or chicken. Working perfectly together, as a healthy salad alternative for western plates.

Tabouli-History and health benefits

5 Popular Hummus Recipes on the Internet You Should Try

5 Popular Hummus Recipes on the Internet You Should Try

5 Popular Hummus Recipes on the Internet You Should Try if you really do love hummus. We are pretty crazy about it, but truthfully we aren’t the only ones. There are literally thousands of websites that offer hummus recipes, but it’s basically the same basic ingredients with some geographical additions. We have heaps of different ideas on this site and we like to put just about anything with it to improve it. After all, we don’t want to get tired of it, do we?

Culinary Revolution

Food has been one of the most basic physiologic needs that man cannot do without, but what started as a mere need for sustenance has evolved with sophistication and class. With the culinary revolution throughout generations, variations and combinations were made, thus the hummus was born. It has been around for so long and has been eaten in so many parts of the world. 

Hummus does not necessarily have to be the main dish, but it does form a very important part of the meal. Generally it is also used as a dip or spread which is used in so many cultures.

5-Hummus-Recipes you should try

Hummus Ingredients

Hummus is made primarily with chickpeas and tahini, while the other components vary from one recipe to another depending on your tastes and those dining at your table. These can include garlic, lemon or lime and sumac.

This exceptional appetizer has made waves everywhere that people are further enriching it while sharing their creations, where else, but on the web. Here are five must-try recipes that can easily be found on the internet.

Classic Dip

The first one features the hummus as a classic dip that can be prepared by anyone. By mixing the two staple ingredients with ground cumin, crushed garlic cloves, lemon juice, olive oil, and baby coriander leaves, it works best as a partner to Turkish bread. This is a great preparation for entertaining guests.

Better than Store Bought

While there are those that can easily be purchased instead of home-prepared, there is another recipe that confidently says it might be better than store-bought hummus. There is no other way to prove such an argument but to try following the step-by-step instructions, so if you are up for it then you might as well give it a go.

Trade Secrets

The secret to making a better-tasting hummus is in the order of adding the ingredients. Another way to make it stand out from the commercial ones is by skinning the chickpeas. Also, this recipe gives you the option to add tahini or make adjustments should you choose to do away with it, providing you a free hand in concocting your own hummus.

Chicpea and tahini make hummus tasty

Basic Hummus

For those who are simply starting to learn how to make hummus, here is a basic recipe that you can follow. The required ingredients are chickpeas, tahini, garlic cloves, sea salt, olive oil, and lemon juice. After mastering the basic concept of preparing hummus, you can let your imagination run wild and experiment with the flavor and texture.

Basic hummus recipe

If you wish to pick a different ingredient other than chickpeas, this unique hummus recipe suggests that you can use garbanzo beans instead. You also have the option to add a dash of cayenne pepper to make the dip spicier. Also, apparently you can keep it in the freezer for one month and just add a little olive oil if it becomes too dry.

Lastly, the food safari hummus recipe suggests preparation ahead of time, but the effort is well worth it. Soaking the chickpeas in water and bicarbonate soda a day before making the hummus makes it very soft and can easily be blended with other ingredients. If you have time to do this, then this may give a different culinary experience.

There are a lot of ways to prepare hummus, but ultimately it’s who you enjoy it with that makes the difference.

Roasted Carrot Hummus Recipe

Roasted Carrot Hummus Recipe

The Roasted Carrot Hummus recipe is going to change your perception of hummus forever. When we talk about hummus, often times people just assume you can only eat it plain. This is so far from the truth and the basic hummus recipe can be varied in so many ways its not funny.

Hummus is easy to make, and everybody loves it. Adding roasted carrot to your hummus can give it an unusual kick not to mention a bright, orange colour. Add Roasted Carrot Hummus immediately to your must try list of hummus recipes.

Behold the roasted carrot hummus recipe.

roasted carrot hummus

 

Ingredients:

400 grams of carrots
½ x 400 grams tin of chickpeas
1 clove of garlic, peeled
2 tablespoons tahini
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
juice of ½ a lemon
a pinch of salt
a pinch of freshly ground black pepper

 

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 200° C
  2. Cut the carrots into bite size pieces at any shape. Place them in the oven for 20-25 minutes.
  3. Rinse and drain the chickpeas.
  4. Fine chop the garlic.
  5. Add all the ingredients into the food processor.
  6. Pulse to mix the ingredients well.
  7. Add salt and pepper when needed.

Your roasted carrot recipe is now good to serve. Its perfect as a dip, sandwich spread and even goes well on your favorite salad as a dressing. Enjoy your hummus!

Roasted-Carrot-Hummus recipe

Sweet Corn Hummus Recipe

Sweet Corn Hummus Recipe

This sweet corn hummus recipe is a real hit with the kids or for those guests who enjoy a surprise twist on a classic recipe. Adding variations to hummus recipes is a great way to still get the nutrients that hummus gives you, and adding a familiar or new taste to add to the excitement.

Sweet Corn

Sweet corn is packed with nutrients such as fibre and protein as well as being a good source of vitamin C. If you are watching your weight, this can be a very filling dip for cucumbers and carrots.

Sweet corn is particularly popular in North America and is used in many recipes both new and traditional. Sweet corn is also used widely in Asian cooking, with chicken and sweet corn soup being a Chinese staple soup. Sweet corn can be used in such a wide variety of dishes, we feel that it has a place in hummus for an interesting and surprising variation. So why not add some sweet corn to your basic hummus recipe? Follow this easy to prepare sweet corn hummus recipe for your next party.

You will need the following items: food processor, plate or bowl, spatula or spoon, and all the ingredients.

Ingredients:sweet corn hummus with veggies and pita

3 cups sweet corn on the cob
8 gloves garlic
1 can chickpeas
2 lemons
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper

Method:

  1. Peel the garlic cloves and chop finely.
  2. Rinse and drain the chickpeas.
  3. Peel of corn husk and remove hairs. Remove corn from the cob, scrape off all the pulp.
  4. Combine all the ingredients in a food processor except the lemon juice and olive oil.
  5. While mixing, slowly add olive oil and squeeze lemon juice.
  6. Pulse to mix well. Stop when the hummus reaches your desired consistency.
  7. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Transfer your hummus into a bowl or plate using spatula or spoon. Serve with mini pita and veggies.

 

Sweet-Corn-Hummus recipe