Arabic Platter

Hummus:

Ingredients :

Chickpeas - 1 cup

Tahini - 1 Tablespoon

Garlic - 2 cloves

Cumin powder - 1/4 Teaspoon

Lemon - 1 Juice and zest

Olive Oil - 2 Tablespoons

Salt - To taste

Chilly powder for garnish

Olives - for garnish

Method :

Soak the chickpeas overnight. In the morning, drain the water rinse it well and pressure cook it till soft. In a blender blend all the above ingredients except the items for garnish  and the chickpeas to a smooth paste. Add  very little water to grind smoothly. Place on a serving dish and drizzle olive oil over it. Sprinkle chilly powder and garnish with olives. 

Mutabal :

Ingredients :

Eggplant - 1 Medium

Tahini - 2 Tablespoon

Lemon - Juice of 1

Garlic - 2 cloves

Salt - To taste

Olive Oil - for dipping and garnish

Pomegranate - for garnish

Method :

Grill the eggplant directly on the gas flame till the skin tears off and it becomes soft. You can put in the oven or in the air fryer. I air fried it at 200 degrees Celcius for 15 minutes. Peel the skin and finely chop the eggplant. Transfer it into a bowl and add tahini, salt, chopped garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and mix it well. Serve it cold, drizzle some olive oil again and garnish with pomegranate pearls.

Fattoush:

Ingredients:

Pita Bread - 2 

Cucumber - 1 chopped

Tomato - 1 chopped

Lettuce - 1 small bunch

Parsley - 1 cup chopped

Mint leaves - few chopped

Spring onion - both white and green chopped

Pomegranate Pearls - 1 cup

Salt - to taste

For the dressing:

Juice of 1 Lemon

Salt and Pepper - to taste

Sumac powder - 1/2 Teaspoon

Honey - 1 Teaspoon

Olive oil - 1 Tablespoon

Whisk all the above ingredients in a small bowl.

Method:

Toast the pita bread until crisp in the oven or air fryer. I air fried them for 6 minutes at 200 degrees celcius. You can toast them in a pan with little oil. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, tomato, onion, parsley, mint leaves, cucumber and salt. Mix them well. Dress the salad with the dressing and toss lightly. Finally, add the pita bread and pomegranate pearls. Serve immediately.