It's National Hummus Day!

Today we celebrate the delicious mix of tahini, lemon juice, garlic and garbanzo beans, – otherwise known as hummus.

According to nationaltoday.com, "The origin of hummus is cloudy and hotly contested. Though we know it originated in the Middle East, many regions around the Eastern crescent of the Mediterranean claim to be the one true originator of the delectable spread. The first real mention of hummus in a cookbook was found in 13th century Cairo, where it appears as merely a cold chickpea puree, and notably lacks lemon juice and garlic – including instead pickled lemons with oil, herbs, and spices. It still sounds pretty good to us.

Hummus remained a huge staple in the diet of many living in the Middle East, where chickpeas flourish. In fact, the word “hummus” is rooted in the Arabic word for “chickpea”! Though there is some debate over whether or not the Greeks also invented hummus, most believe that it spread between Greek and Middle Eastern traders, along with popular delicacies like baklava and stuffed grape leaves. It’s known for this reason as one of the greatest crossover foods.

It’s also the national dish for many countries in the Middle East. It’s a cultural phenomenon as much as a culinary one, and nations stick up for their claim to hummus. For example, in 2008 Lebanon tried to sue Israel for “stealing” hummus! After that, the two strove to set the record for the largest plate of hummus. For all its long-lasting popularity in the Middle East and Southern Europe, it may surprise you to learn that the first British grocery store to stock hummus only did so in 1980. Unsurprisingly, however, it quickly became a great hit in the UK, largely for its health benefits.

Hummus definitely had a fashionably late arrival to the U.S. While 20 years ago, most Americans probably couldn’t even pronounce the name of the dish, and annual sales barely topped $5 million, today it is found in most grocery stores and considered a staple in many American households. While in the Middle East, hummus is increasingly considered a somewhat routine and middle-class meal, Americans are falling for the brownish spread – hard. It’s estimated that more than a quarter of U.S. households have hummus in the fridge right this second.?

The first International Hummus Day was in 2012 and our taste buds have been celebrating ever since."

In honor of today here's a few ways you can pay homage:

??Attend a hummus festival.

??Try out a new hummus flavor.

??Make your own. Try this recipe: HOMEMADE HUMMUS

Ingredients

• 1?can (15.5 oz./440 g)?chickpeas, drained (reserve ? cup (60 mL) liquid from the can)
• 1?can (15 oz./425 g)?Great Northern beans, drained
• Liquid reserved from chickpeas
• 2?tbsp (30 mL)?lemon juice
• 2?tbsp (30 mL)?olive oil
• 1? ?garlic clove, peeled
• 1?tbsp (15 mL)?sesame seeds
• 1?tsp (5 mL)?salt
• Optional: grilled or raw vegetables, naan or pita bread, or crackers

Directions

1. Add the ingredients, in the order listed, to the Deluxe Cooking Blender. Replace and lock the lid. Turn the wheel to select the GRIND setting; press the wheel to start.
2. If the blades are still moving but not blending food, use the tamper to push the ingredients back into the blades. *Tip: Use the tamper in a circular motion to keep the hummus moving into the blades. Do not tamper for more than 30 seconds at a time.
3. Serve with grilled or raw vegetables, naan, pita bread, or crackers.

Yield: 12? servings

Nutrients per serving:

U.S. nutrients per serving (about 3 tbsp/45 mL): Calories 90, Total Fat 3 g, Saturated Fat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 350 mg, Carbohydrate 12 g, Fiber 3 g, Sugars 1 g, Protein 4 g

Your Pampered Chef Cook's Tips:

You can also use the hummus in place of pizza sauce for flatbreads.

Safety Tip:

• Only use the tamper provided with the Deluxe Cooking Blender. Do not force the tamper deeper into the pitcher. Only use the tamper when blending cold and liquid ingredients.

Deluxe Cooking Blender #100125

Don't have this item on hand, don't panic. Pick it up here??

https://table.pamperedchef.com/party/1120794otg?inviteSource=direct&t=1714561007868

ACTION STEP: Whip up this simple, homemade, quick and easy hummus recipe invite a few friends and family over and let me know in the comments below how it turned out and whether it tasted better than the store bought

or Kick your kitchen up a notch by booking your cooking show here:

https://bit.ly/m/Kryshonda-Torres