Hummus With Roasted Red Pepper

Hummus is a Middle Eastern dip  made out of boiled chickpea's along with sesame seeds paste(Tahini),olive oil and lemon juice,usually served with bread.There is no end to the varieties of hummus preparation,the recipe is so versatile that it will  blend easily with most of vegetables and herbs which will add different flavours to the hummus.Here I have prepared hummus with Roasted red peppers.

Roasting red peppers will adds smokiness and flavour to the peppers.
It can be roasted in 2 ways.
1.Grill Method
This method is good when you have more peppers to roast.Preheat the grill and turn the oven to 250'C,place the oven rack to the highest position,making sure that the peppers still fit under the grill without touching the flame or heating element.Place the whole peppers on a baking sheet and slide them under the grill,make sure to keep an eye on the peppers by turning them often as they brown using long tongs.The skin of the peppers will charred and bubble but don't get them over burn,The total roasting time will be 5-20 minutes depending on the size of the peppers and the capacity of your oven/grill.
2.Stove Top Method:
If you got only one or two peppers to roast try this method using metal tongs,hold the peppers directly over the flame and turn the peppers as the skin gets charred.
After roasting,place the roasted peppers in a bowl,cover with cling wrap or tight fitting lid and leave it for 5-10 minutes.This will make them sweat and it will be easier to peel the skin.Remove the seeds and chop.This can be used in any salads or any dish as you like.

Ingredients:
Red pepper/ Red Capsicum/Red Bell Pepper-1(Roasted)
Chick peas(boiled) -11/2cups
Tahini Paste(Sesame seed paste)-2Tbsp
Garlic- 3 cloves
Olive oil-1/4cup
Lemon juice-2Tbsp
Roasted cumin powder-1tsp
Black pepper powder-1/2 tsp
Chilli flakes-1/2tsp
Chilli powder/Paprika-1tsp(optional)
Salt to taste
Sesame seeds,chilli flakes and olive oil for garnishing

Method.
1.Add every thing except olive oil in a blender or food processor  and blend pouring olive oil bit by bit until it becomes a smooth paste.
2.Take out the hummus to a bowl,drizzle olive oil,sprinkle few sesame seeds and chilli flakes on top of the hummus.
3.Serve with toasted pitta bread or any kind of bread of your choice.

Note:
1.You can use coriander or parsley when blending.
2.Adjust the spices less or more according to your preference and taste.
3. In Kannada,Red pepper/Red capsicum  Known as Dappa kempu menasinakayi/Donne kempu menasinakayi.
4.In Hindi,it is known as Lal Shimla mirch.
5.It can be stored in a jar or air tight box for up to week in the fridge.

6. Check out my  Hummus and other Middle eastern recipes

BLACKEYED BEANS AND TOMATO BROTH

Hi everybody, its been months since september I havn't posted anything..I  was so busy and been to India,so I am posting now so what better than delicious hearty soup to start :)..ENJOY and keep visiting...

Ingredients:1cup-blackeye beans
1tbsp-olive oil
2onions,chopped
4garlic pods,chopped
2-3fresh chillies
1tsp-cumin powder
1tsp-turmeric powder
250g canned tomatoes/2-3fresh tomatoes
21/2cups-vegtable stock
Fresh coriander,finely chopped
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Pitta bread to serve

Method:
1. Cook the blackeye beans in a pressure cooker for 2-3 whistles until the beans are tender,drain and set aside.
2.Heat  the oil in a pan add the onions,garlic and chilliand cook for 5minutes or until onions is soft.Stir in cumin,turmeric,tomatoes,stock,half of the coriander and the beans,simmer for 20-30minutes.Stir in the remaining coriander and the lemon juice.
3.Serve with warm pitta bread.

Falafel

Ingredients:

1Cup-Dried chickpeas

3Cloves-Garlic

1-Onion,roughly chopped

1Tsp-Baking soda

1/2Tsp-Chilli powder

1/2Tsp-Pepper powder

1/2Tsp-Cumin powder

1/4Cup-Fresh coriander,finely chopped

1/4Cup-Fresh parsley,finely chopped

1/4Cup-Breadcrumbs

Salt to taste

Oil for frying

Method:


Soak chickpeas 6-8 hours in water.put soaked chickpeas,onion,garlic,
half of the parsley and coriander in a blender or food processor,blend into rough paste.
Add little water if needed.In a bowl add chickpea paste,leftover parsley and coriander,cumin powder,breadcrumbs,chilli powder,black pepper powder ,salt and baking soda,mix well.Make round lemon sized balls and press them slightly like vada out of the mixture.Heat a oil in a kadai,fry falafel balls in a medium hot oil until brown colour on all the sides.Takeout and drain the excess oil on the paper towel.Serve hot with salad.



NOTE:Falafel can be served stuffed inside pita bread(pocket) along with tahinisauce and salad as a sandwich.

Baba Gannoush(Aubergine dip)

Ingredients:

1-Large Aubergine,roasted

1-Onion ,minced

3-4 Cloves of garlic

3Tbsp-Tahini paste

3Tbsp-Thick yoghurt

1/2Tsp- Mustard paste

Salt to taste

1/2Tsp-Sugar

Method:

Roast the aubergine, mash with the fork,

roughly blend all the ingredients in a blender or food processer.

Garnish with olive oil and sesame seeds.

Serve baba gannoush and tahini sauce with crisp and warm pita bread triangles and salad.







NOTE:This both dips can be used as dip or spread for chappati,roti or bread.

Tahini Sauce

Ingredients:

3Tbsp-Tahini paste

2-Greenchillies

1/2Tsp-Mustard paste/powder

4Tbsp-Thick yoghurt

Salt to taste

1/2Tsp-Sugar

Method:

Blend all the ingredients in a liquidiser.Garnish with olive oil,

redchilli flakes and sesame seeds.

HUMMUS

Ingredients:

Chickpeas – 1 can, drained and rinsed
Yogurt-1/4 Cup
Garlic – 2-3 cloves, crushed
Tahini (Sesame Seed Paste) –3 Tbsp or more
Salt – 1/2tsp or to taste
Lemon Juice – 2 Tbsp
Water – 2tbsp
Olive Oil – 2 Tbsp
Chilli flakes, Cayenne Pepper or Paprika -1tsp
Fresh parsley or coriander(i used coriander)

Method:

Blend all the ingredients into smooth thick paste in a blender or food processer.
Transfer the paste into a bowl,spread the mixture evenly and drizzle olive oil,
sprinkle chopped parsley or coriander.Serve with pita bread and salad.

NOTE:It can be used as spread over the toasts instead of butter as a healthy option.