The Hummus Chronicles: How an Ancient Dish Became a Modern Favorite

Dec 6, 2022 | All About Hummus, Basic Hummus, Hummus Ingredients

In today’s food market, you can find hummus almost anywhere you go. It can be found in grocery stores, cafes and even high-end restaurants. But where did this tasty dish originate from? Some say that the origin of hummus stems from Morocco while others argue that it is an Israeli dish with Palestinian roots. Regardless of its origins, hummus has gained popularity throughout the world as a healthier alternative to mayonnaise on sandwiches and as a dip with pita bread or crudités. Learn more about the history and creation of hummus by reading The Hummus Chronicles.

Origins of Hummus

Hummus is a dip or spread popular in the Middle East and Mediterranean that can be made from chickpeas, fava beans, or other types of beans. It’s typically served with pita bread for dipping. The origins of hummus are still debated, but it seems to have originated in the Middle East. Some say it came from Egypt during the Roman era when pea soup was used as a way to use up leftover food. Others say it came from Yemen or Syria and dates back to at least the 13th century. What we do know is that hummus has been around since ancient times, has gone through many transformations over time, and continues to thrive today. You can check some variations of hummus here.

Traditional Recipe for Hummus

Chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, garlic and lemon juice are the traditional ingredients for hummus. The chickpeas are soaked overnight and then peeled. They are then boiled in water with baking soda and salt until they become soft. The boiled chickpeas are mixed with the remaining ingredients to create the hummus. The result is a creamy, smooth paste that can be served as-is or used as the base of other dishes such as dip or sandwich spread. You can check some popular recipes of hummus here.

How Hummus Became a Modern Favorite

Hummus is a spread made from ground chickpeas, sesame seed paste, olive oil, and garlic. In the Middle East, it has been consumed for centuries. Today hummus has become a modern favorite in many countries around the world and even more popular because of its versatility. For example, in France chefs have used different spices to make harissa-flavored hummus. They have also made ones that are curry-spiced with cumin and chili pepper. Additionally, there is even fruit flavored hummus such as strawberry.

Contemporary Recipes from Hummus Chronicles

Hummus is one of the world’s most popular and diverse food spreads. It’s made from cooking mashed chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic and salt together. Hummus Recipes differ across cultures and countries, with some versions including a little bit of cumin or other spices. The dish is often topped with olive oil and paprika to make it look more appetizing.

Some recipes call for mixing in vegetables like tomatoes, onions and peppers. Olive oil makes hummus taste smoother and creamier. Tahini provides a nutty flavor as well as richness to the dish that may have come about because of using sesame seeds. Chickpeas are rich in protein but they can be high in cholesterol so eating them sparingly is advised.

Tabouli: Its History and Health Benefits

Jul 26, 2017 | All About Hummus, Recipes, Sides, Tabouli

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.

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 Tabouli

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.

Basic Hummus Recipe

Nov 3, 2014 | All About Hummus, Basic Hummus, Hummus Ingredients, Hummus Recipe Ideas, Hummus Variations, Middle Eastern Dips, Recipes, Types of Hummus

Basic Hummus Recipe – For the Love of Hummus

Lovely traditional hummus recipe with chickpeas and tahini. Perfect for any occasion and incredibly healthy, hummus has been made for centuries. Use this recipe as a base than you can add different ingredients to your hummus depending on your taste and the occasion. We have a huge range of hummus and other middle eastern type dip recipes on this site. So be sure to browse around to see everything.

Ingredients

600g Can of Chickpeas. Drain the can and rinse the beans under cold water.
3 crushed garlic cloves, or two teaspoons of store bought crushed garlic.
100ml good quality olive oil (leave a teaspoon left over for drizzling on top of finished hummus)
2 tablespoons tahini paste (Hulled)
Lemon juice. Either squeeze a whole fresh lemon or 2 tablespoons of pre made lemon juice.
1 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
1/4 cup (60ml) water
1 teaspoon of Sumac for garnish

Method

Place all items in a food processor. Process on low speed for one minute until combined. Add water slowly until you get a nice texture for your hummus. Scrape down the sides often. Blend for up to 5 minutes depending on how fluffy you prefer your hummus to be.

Serve on a plate, drizzle olive oil on the top. Garnish with sumac. You can add all sorts of different ingredients to make some cool hummus variations.