Hummus and pita—so modest, yet the flavor- and culture-rich pair—have become international. From modest Middle Eastern peripheries to balloon in restaurants, grocery stores, and kitchen countertops globally.
As an appetizer, elegant bite, or side to an entree, hummus and pita bread is a comfort food that tantalizes the palate.
Hummus is a creamy healthy dip composed of garbanzo beans (chickpeas), cooked and blended with tahini (paste of ground sesame), olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt.
Soft flat bread pita, rounded and smooth, is hence used, as a rule, to serve with and scoop up. The appeal in this blend is not so much one of taste but even one of health and ease.
This piece is going to give you the complete lowdown on why you will love pita and hummus, health benefits, how to make them fresh, and some serving ideas as a pro.
Why You Will Love This?
Following are some reasons why you will love hummus and pita:
- Filling and Nourishing: Hummus is packed with plant protein, healthy fat, and fiber. Vegetarians and vegans, you’ll be full for hours.
- Versatile: Dip it, put it on a sandwich, or serve it as a side. Pita can be toasted, warmed, filled, or grilled.
- Flexible: Only so much can be done by adding such as roasted red peppers, pine nuts, or dried tomatoes, or spices or herbs.
- Easy to Prepare: Hummus and pita can be prepared using simple ingredients with no fancy equipment at home.
- Haute Satisfying: Soft warm pita with warm creamy hummus is haute, satisfying, and yummy.
What Ingredients Do You Need for Making Hummus and Pita
To create this creamy hummus, you are gonna need a list of ingredients, they are listed here along with how you are gonna make the soft flat best bread for hummus.
To Make Hummus:
- 1½ cups cooked or canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (1 large lemon)
- ¼ cup tahini
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt to taste
- 2 to 4 tablespoons cold water
- Optional: paprika, chopped parsley, whole chickpeas, toasted pine nuts
For Pita Bread:
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¾ cup warm water (110°F)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (with additional for kneading)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Step-by-Step Process to Make Hummus and Pita
This is a relatively easy recipe of Hummus and Pita that anyone can create whether you are a beginner or if you are a master chef.
Preparing Hummus:
Step 1: Mix Tahini and Lemon Juice
Combine tahini and lemon juice in a food processor. Process 1 minute. Whips the tahini in this step, making creamy hummus.
Step 2: Mix Garlic, Olive Oil, Cumin, and Salt
Add minced garlic, olive oil, cumin, and a dash of salt in the tahini mix. Mix well.
Step 3: Mix Chickpeas
Add half of chickpeas and blend 1 minute. Add rest of chickpeas and blend desired creamy consistency, extra 1-2 minutes.
Step 4: Thickening/Thinning Adjustment
To thin hummus to desired consistency or thicken, add slowly with added cold water (by a tablespoon).
Step 5: Taste and Taste Adjust
Add lemon juice, garlic, or salt according to taste. For smooth texture, strain through a sieve.
Preparing Pita Bread:
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast in a bowl. Allow it to rest for 10 minutes, until frothy.
Step 2: Form the Dough
Whisk flour and salt in large bowl. Combine yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix to create a dough.
Step 3: Knead the dough
Out onto a floured area and knead 8-10 minutes to elastic and smooth.
Step 4: First Rise
Put dough into greased bowl. Cover with towel and rise in warm spot 1 hour or doubled.
Step 5: Shape the Pitas
Punch down dough and cut into 6 equal parts. Roll each into ball, then flatten to 6-inch circle.
Step 6: Cook
Heat cast-iron pan or skillet to medium-high. Bake the pita 1-2 minutes on both sides or lightly browned and puffed. Cover with dry towel to prevent from becoming hard.
Serving Suggestions
There are many different ways you can serve hummus and pita, here are few of these ways;
- Classic Style: Serve over small bowl of hummus with drizzle of olive oil on top, sprinkle of za’atar or paprika on top, and parsley chopped as garnish.
- With Fresh Vegetables: Sliced carrot dippers, cucumber, bell pepper, or cherry tomatoes.
- As A Sandwich: Hummus-filled half-pita with salad greens, grilled vegetables, or falafel as a whole food wrap.
- Party Platter: Serve with feta, olives, tabbouleh, and pickles as a attempt at being the ultimate mezze platter.
- Heat It Up: Warm the pita a little to get the best softness and aroma.
Creating Creamy Hummus
- Peel Chickpeas: Peel chickpeas for maximum creaminess. Warm canned and splash baking soda prior to peeling.
- Whip Tahini First: Whipping tahini with lemon juice prior to adding chickpeas makes it less thick in texture.
- Add Ice Water: Adding ice water in small quantities lightens and emulsifies the hummus.
- Don’t Overdo Garlic: A small clove is enough; raw garlic is overwhelming.
- Cook Your Own Chickpeas: Boiling chickpeas dry and soaking them provides richer taste and creamier hummus.
Hummus and Pita Recipe
Equipment
- Food processor or blender, high-speed
- Mixing bowls
- Pita rolling pin
- Cast-iron pan or baking stone
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Clean towel
Ingredients
Hummus –
- 1½ cup cooked chickpeas
- ¼ cup tahini
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp cumin
- Salt to taste
- 3 tbsp cold water (adjust as required)
Pita –
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- ¾ cup warm water
- 2 cups flour all-purpose
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
Hummus –
- Mix together tahini andlemon juice for 1 minute.
- Add garlic, olive oil,cumin, and salt. Mix smooth.
- Add chickpeas in twoinstallments. Mix well.
- Add cold water to getcreamy texture.
- Season and serve. Garnishand serve.
Pita –
- Mix water, yeast, andsugar. Let it foam.
- Combine flour and salt. Addyeast mixture and oil.
- Knead 10 minutes smooth.
- Let rise 1 hour in warmplace.
- Divide into 6 balls. Shapeinto 6-inch circles.
- Cook each in hot skilletuntil puffed and golden brown.
- Cover with towel to remainsoft.
Notes
- Save leftover pita after baking. Toast toaster or oven.
- Store leftover hummus 5 days.
- To convert, sprinkle with smoked paprika or red roasted pepper.
Why are Hummus and Pita so Popular?
Hummus and pita are more than a snack—ageless tradition from generation to generation and close to cultures. With their silky-smooth texture, sophisticated flavor, and goodness of nature, they are a heavenly pair of bliss and well-being.
Whether for guests or a quick mid-week dinner, this comforting pair won’t let you down. By doing them yourself, you can use to hand whatever you have available, try substitutes, and enjoy good food at its best.
With everything you need from ingredients through to how-to—so why not get stuck in and bring Middle Eastern favorite to your doorstep?
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