Making Homous

Date: 21st May 2008
Venue: Vivian Road Pre-School

This week is cooking week for the children in Vivian Road Pre-School.
A teacher from Iraq taught the children how to make Homous.

Homous is a dip or spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended
with tahihi, lemon juice, salt and garlic. Homous is a popular food in various
local forms throughout the Middle East world.

Ingredients:
1) Dried chickpeas 225g (8oz)
2) Tahini (light or dark) 75ml (5tbsp)
3) Lemon juice 120ml (8tbsp)
4) Olive Oil 30ml (2tbsp)
5) Garlic, 3 cloves, crushed
6) black pepper

Method:
1) Soak the chick peas overnight and cook as instructed on the label.
2) Reserve 200ml (1/3 pint) of the cooking liquid.
3) Using a blender or a food processor, liquidize all the other ingredients,
then gradually add the chickpeas, blending until it forms a stiff, smooth paste.
4) More water may need to be added.
5) Leave to stand for two hours for it to become more flavoursome.
6) Add more seasoning and lemon juice if needed.
7) Garnish with a trickle of olive oil, paprika and lemon slices.
8) Serve with pitta bread, toast, or as a dip with a crisp salad.