Hummus Among Us

I don't remember the first time I tasted hummus, but I do know that I enjoyed it, wanted more, and haven't looked back since.

For those of you familiar with my food "deals," or "issues" as some might call them (hey, I'm not that picky), I refused to eat beans of any kind other than green beans for a good long while. As in most of my life. It was a texture thing - mushy.

On a similar note, I don't eat green peas. I hate it when places throw in peas to dishes just because they can - salads, soups, and the usual culprit - rice. Don't you mess with my rice, mmmkay?

So back to beans. Somehow I integrated chickpeas in to my diet via the hummus and eventually became okay with refried beans, which gave way to black beans about two years ago and even the occasional white bean and kidney type. I can now eat chili, which is major, and black bean salsas, salads, on the side, with rice...yeah. I'm converted.

I made hummus last night with one can of chickpeas, a tablespoon of tahini, a little water and a couple glugs of olive oil, lime juice (didn't have lemon), some smoked paprika, and a little seasoning packet meant for flavoring dipping oil for breads that had all kinds of Italian style herbs and big hunks of sun-dried tomatoes. I whirled it all around in my blender - still no food processor up in my kitchen, which is unfortunate, but when/if we make it out of our uber-tiny apartment, then we can talk kitchen gadgets.

Great stuff! I seriously love the hummus. If I don't make it myself, I like the Sabra brand - but watch out for the Supreme Spice, which I purchased accidentally this past weekend and it brought a little more heat than my crew could handle. Also good - the Trader Joe's and Cedars brands - very creamy. Don't want to take my word for it? Fine - check this taste test out.