Creamy hummus is a crowd favourite for vegetarians and meat lovers alike. Top it with all kinds of goodies and a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil to make a show-stopping table centrepiece as a starter or snack. Serve with crudités, crackers, Melba toast or bread sticks. Note: You’ll save some time by using canned chick peas instead of cooking from dried chick peas.
Serves 6.
Ingredients:
2 x 400 g canned chickpeas, drained
1/4 cup (60 ml) tahini / sesame paste
1/3 cup (80 ml) fresh lemon juice
1 small clove garlic, finely grated
salt, to taste
1/2 teaspoon (2,5 ml) ground cumin
15 ml extra virgin olive oil
1/4-1/2 cup (60-125 ml) water
For topping: (adjust to your preference)
olives roasted almonds, roughly chopped toasted sesame seeds fresh parsley, chopped fresh dill, chopped red onion, finely sliced baby radish, finely sliced/shaved capers ground smoked paprika extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
To serve: (choose whatever you prefer) vegetable sticks (carrots, cucumber, broccolini, mange tout, baby corn, etc.) crackers / Melba toasts / bread sticks
Method:
Make the hummus: Place all the ingredients except the water in a food processor or high-powered food blender. Mix well. Add water until you have a spreadable, creamy consistency. Continue to blend until the texture is very smooth — about 5 minutes in total. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Transfer to a wide bowl and swirl to form a wide surface for the toppings.
Top generously with the toppings and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with crudités, crackers or bread sticks.
TIP: Store hummus covered in the fridge until ready to plate and top. When cold, the hummus texture might be a little stiff. Add a tablespoon of recently boiled water and give it a good stir to loosen up before serving
About the wine, Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc:
Soft aromas of dried apricots and ripe tropical fruit, with an oak and vanilla undertow on the nose. On the palate, there’s good acidity and rounded rich flavours of white flesh peaches, almond paste and creaminess.
Also pairs well crisp pork belly with oriental caramelisation, duck breast with fynbos honey and spices, or Cape-style pickled fish.