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Colombian Chickpea Dip

Serves 4 to 6 Dip vegan, Appetizers

Colombian Chickpea Dip

Colombian Chickpea Dip, known for its simplicity and heartiness, finds its place on the family table as a staple for gatherings and casual meals alike. This dish is emblematic of Colombian home cooking, where salt is judged by hand and fat is used with a generous touch. It captures the essence of everyday dining, celebrated for its ease and the comfort it brings to any occasion.

The dip offers a creamy texture punctuated by the earthiness of chickpeas and a hint of nutty tahini, balanced with the brightness of lemon juice. Garlic and cumin add depth, crafting a flavor profile that's rich yet familiar. This is a dish meant for sharing, inviting everyone to savor its simple yet satisfying taste.

Ingredients

  • 400 gchickpeas
  • 2 tbsptahini
  • lemonjuiced
  • 2 clovesgarlic
  • 1 tspcumin
  • to tastefine sea salt

Method

  1. Begin by placing 400 g of cooked chickpeas into a food processor or a large mortar and pestle. Blend or pound the chickpeas until they form a coarse paste. The texture should be slightly chunky, not completely smooth, to maintain a rustic feel typical of Colombian home cooking.
  2. Add 2 tablespoons of tahini to the chickpea paste. Squeeze in the juice of one lemon, ensuring no seeds fall in. Blend or mix slowly, allowing the tahini and lemon juice to incorporate fully, creating a creamy and slightly tangy base.
  3. Peel and finely mince 2 cloves of garlic. Add the minced garlic and 1 teaspoon of cumin to the mixture. Blend again until the garlic is well distributed, enhancing the dip's aroma and depth of flavor.
  4. Drizzle in a generous amount of olive oil while blending or mixing, about 2 to 3 tablespoons, until the dip reaches a smooth and creamy consistency. The oil should be fully absorbed, giving the dip a rich and luscious texture.
  5. Season the dip with fine sea salt to taste. Start with a small pinch, blend, and taste the dip on a piece of bread. Adjust the salt as needed, keeping in mind that the flavors will meld and deepen as the dip rests.
  6. Transfer the chickpea dip to a serving bowl and let it rest for about 10 minutes at room temperature. This brief resting period allows the flavors to meld together, enhancing the overall taste.
  7. Serve the Colombian Chickpea Dip cool, accompanied by fresh bread or vegetables for dipping. Enjoy it as part of a shared meal, embodying the communal spirit of Colombian home cooking.
Cover of Authentic Colombian Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Colombian Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Colombian Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Colombian volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

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