Categories: Appetizers

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups dried chickpeas
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice, plus more as needed
• 1/2 cup tahini
• 4 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 3/4 tsp. salt, plus more as needed
• 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
• 2 tsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• Large pinch of paprika
• 6 lemon wedges or radishes
• 1/4 cup brine-cured black olives, such as Kalamata

Directions

1. Pick over the chickpeas and discard any misshapen chickpeas and stones. Rinse the chickpeas and drain. Place in a bowl, add water to cover generously, and let stand for at least 4 hours or up to overnight.

2. Drain the chickpeas and place in a saucepan with water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until the skins crack and the chickpeas are very tender, about 1 hour. Remove from the heat and drain, reserving the cooking liquid.

3. In a food processor or blender, combine the chickpeas, the 1/2 cup lemon juice, the tahini, 3 Tbs. of the olive oil, the garlic, the 3/4 tsp. salt and the cumin. Process until a soft, creamy paste forms, adding a bit of the cooking liquid to loosen the texture, if necessary. Taste and add more lemon juice and salt, if needed.

4. Transfer the puree to a serving bowl and spread with the back of a spoon to form a shallow well. Drizzle with the remaining 1 Tbs. olive oil. Sprinkle with the parsley and paprika. Garnish with the lemon wedges and olives and serve.

Email to a friend | Print this recipe | Back