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Indian Chickpea Dip

Serves 4 to 6 Dip vegan, Appetizers

Indian Chickpea Dip

Indian Chickpea Dip, a beloved staple in home kitchens across India, is crafted with a balance that reflects the intuitive cooking style of family cooks. This dish isn't confined to grand occasions; instead, it finds its place on the table whenever there's a need for a nourishing and shareable accompaniment. The recipe captures the essence of Indian home cooking, with salt measured by feel and generosity in flavoring.

The dip should be creamy yet textured, harmonizing the nutty richness of tahini with the bright zing of fresh lemon juice. The warmth of cumin and the subtle heat from garlic create a comforting depth, while chickpeas form the hearty base. It's made for scooping and sharing, inviting hands to dip in together.

Ingredients

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

Method

  1. Drain and rinse 400 g chickpeas thoroughly under cold water to remove excess salt and starch. Transfer them to a food processor or a large mortar and pestle, which will allow you to control the texture better. Begin by pulsing or pounding the chickpeas until they start to break down into a coarse paste.
  2. Add 2 tbsp tahini to the chickpea paste. Continue blending or pounding, ensuring the tahini is fully incorporated, which will help create a creamy base. The mixture should start to look smoother but still have some texture.
  3. Slowly add the juice of one lemon to the mixture. Blend or pound it in gradually, which will help balance the flavors and achieve the right consistency. The mixture should be creamy and slightly tangy at this stage.
  4. Peel and mince 2 cloves of garlic, then add them to the mixture along with 1 tsp cumin. Blend or pound until the garlic and cumin are well distributed, enhancing the aroma and depth of flavor. The dip should now have a fragrant, earthy scent.
  5. Season the mixture with fine sea salt to taste, starting with a small pinch and adjusting as needed. Taste the dip on a piece of bread to gauge the seasoning, ensuring it complements the chickpeas without overpowering them.
  6. Allow the dip to rest for about 10 minutes at room temperature. This resting period helps the flavors meld together, enhancing the overall taste. Serve the dip cool, ready for sharing as part of a meal or as a standalone snack.
Cover of Authentic Indian Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Indian Cuisine

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

Available soon on Amazon…

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