It's kind of last-minute, but in case you haven't made your plans for Hummus Day . . .

Hummus 'n' stuff -- at the Hummus & Pita Co., 585 Sixth Avenue (at 17th Street) in Manhattan (see below)

by Ken

Probably every year the day creeps up on you, and you vow that next year you'll look into one of those special Hummus Day tour packages and cruises, but things come up, and before you know it, the day has rolled around again!

The Hummus Day website, http://hummusday.com/, is -- shall we say? -- a trifle sparse, leading off with this Wikipedia description:

Hummus is a Levantine Arab food dip or spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas, blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. It is popular throughout the Middle East and in Middle Eastern cuisine around the globe.

(The Wikipedia hummus article is actually pretty informative.)

And then offering this fascinating, um, display --


There doesn't appear to be any clearinghouse of national Hummus Day events, but the folks at Vital Juice NY offer this suggestion to New Yorkers for "the perfect spot to celebrate":

Flatiron’s The Hummus & Pita Co. where you can indulge in a new menu of homemade hummus and Mediterranean dishes, each with fewer than 300 calories. The café's calorie-conscious menu just launched this month.

The special menu features five dishes - -The Vegetarian's, The Meat-Lover's, The Carb-Lover's and The Purist's and The Sampler -- each with a different combination of sides such as falafels, couscous, Israeli salad and of course, hummus.

The Vital Juice NY Hummus Day coverage continues:

Want to take a taste of the Mediterranean with you? Try these hummus recipes at home.

Hummus is yummus.

(Hey, we don't make up the news, we just report it.)


HERE'S THE FIRST OF THOSE HUMMUS RECIPES
(from the Hummus & Pita Co.)

Original Hummus

1 16-oz. can of chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
¼ c. liquid from can of chickpeas
3-5 Tbsp. lemon juice (according to taste)
1½ Tbsp. tahini
2 cloves garlic, crushed
½ tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. olive oil

Drain chickpeas and set aside liquid from can. Combine remaining ingredients in blender or food processor. Add ¼ c. of liquid from chickpeas. Blend for 3-5 minutes on low until thoroughly mixed and smooth. Place in serving bowl, and create a shallow well in the center of the hummus. Add a small amount (1-2 Tbsp.) of olive oil in the well. Garnish with parsley (optional).

[Also available online: Cilantro Jalapeño Hummus]

Happy Hummus Day!

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