Recipe Hummus with Pita Bread

Hummus with pita bread is a delightful and classic Middle Eastern dish that pairs creamy, flavorful hummus with soft, warm pita. This recipe will guide you through making both from scratch, ensuring a delicious and satisfying experience.

Ingredients

For the Pita Bread:

• All-purpose flour: 490 g
• Yeast: 1.5 teaspoons
• Water: 320 ml
• Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
• Sugar: 1 tablespoon
• Salt: 1 teaspoon

For the Hummus:

• Chickpeas (cooked): 1.5 cups
• Tahini paste: 80 g
• Lemon: 1
• Baking soda: 1 teaspoon
• Salt: 1.5 teaspoons

Method

1. Prepare the Chickpeas: Soak the chickpeas overnight in plenty of water. The next morning, drain and rinse them, then soak again for a couple of hours. Drain once more, place the chickpeas in a pot with fresh water, and add the baking soda. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, skim off any foam, and simmer for about 1.5 hours until the chickpeas are tender. Drain the chickpeas, reserving some of the cooking water.
2. Make the Pita Dough: In a small bowl, mix the yeast, sugar, and 80 ml of warm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, olive oil, and the remaining 240 ml of water. Mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. Let the Dough Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
4. Prepare the Hummus: While the dough is rising, prepare the hummus. In a food processor, combine the cooked chickpeas, lemon juice, and ½ cup of the reserved chickpea cooking water. Blend until smooth. Add the tahini paste and blend again. Adjust the texture with additional cooking water if needed. Season with salt and blend once more.
5. Shape and Bake the Pita: Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to a floured surface. Divide the dough into 10-11 equal pieces and shape each into a ball. Roll each ball into a flat circle about 15 cm in diameter. Cover with a towel and let rise for 15 minutes.
6. Bake the Pita: Preheat your oven to 230°C (450°F) and place a baking sheet inside to heat up. Place the rolled dough onto the hot baking sheet and bake for 4-5 minutes, or until the pita bread puffs up and turns lightly golden. Remove from the oven and cover with a towel to keep warm.
7. Serve: Slice the warm pita bread into wedges. Serve with the hummus, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with paprika if desired. Garnish with fresh herbs for extra flavor.

Enjoy your homemade hummus and pita bread!