A very middle eastern dinner...

I have been wanting and wanting to make hummus now for a very longgggggggggggg time.. you get it right, there are always some recipes sitting there that you want to try but either are too lazy or lack motivation. Hummus has been one of those, so to push myself to make it I soaked a cup of chickpeas the night before so I would be motivated to make it the next day. I don't mean to boast about this recipe, but I must tell you the truth the hummus and pita bread was simply delicious and more importantly easy to make.. At first I didn't know if I should attempt making the Pita or get it from the store but after reading Deb's blog on making Pita bread, I decided on handling an larger task. And It was I must say rewarding and satisfying meal.

Without further discussion for the hummus you'll need

1 1/2 cups ( soaked overnight and cooked) chickpeas
3 cloves garlic
3 tbsp Tahini
2 tsp salt
1 cup water
1/2 tsp paprika
2 tbsp lemon juice
Olive oil for garnishing

Put the chickpeas, garlic, tahini, salt , water and  lemon juice in a blender. Blend until it is a smooth consistency, I like a smooth hummus . Garnish with olive oil , paprika and parsley.

For the Pita bread:

3 cups all purpose flour
2 tbsp salt
2 tbsp instant yeast
2 tbsp olive oil
1 1/4 cup water ( microwave for 40 secs or less so that its warm)

In a measuring cup add the yeast, oil, salt and water and stir. Take the flour in a mixing bowl , add lil of the liquid from the measuring cup and keep kneading, keep doing this until u have a dough consistency. The dough will be a sticky and difficult to handle. Dont worry just keep kneading for another 5 mins. Let the dough then sit for 5-7 mins and then knead it once more for 3-5 mins, then place it in a bowl cling wrap it and leave it in the fridge for at least 6-8 hours before you make your bread. Your dough should rise in this time and become soft and fluffy. When you remove the dough cover it up with a wet tissue and slowly take small lumps of the dough and make small balls , place these balls under an oiled cling wrap.

Once this is done, keep your pan on the stove on medium heat and now start rolling the dough into small circles. You will need to use extra flour to be able to roll as the sides will stick , apply a lil more pressure on the rolling pin so that the dough does not roll back in again.


Once you have the dough rolled out place it on the pan let it cook on one side till you have brown spots or bubbles form and then turn sides. If you have a flame burner then place your bread directly on the flame till it rises. Otherwise you can buy one of those wire meshes that you can directly place on the burner , place
 your bread on it and it will have the same effect as being placed on a burner.

I am so sure your pita bread will rise and you can cut it up and either use it as a pita pocket or just dig in and eat :)..... bil-hana' wa ash-shifa' ( may you have your meal with gladness and health).... Bon Apetite..