Here are the recipes for two popular Arabic dishes: Hummus and Falafel

Hummus:

Hummus is a creamy dip made from chickpeas and tahini (sesame paste), often flavored with lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. It’s commonly served with pita bread or as a dip for vegetables.

Ingredients:

– 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

– 1/4 cup tahini

– 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

– 2-3 cloves garlic, minced

– 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

– Salt and ground cumin, to taste

– Water, as needed

– Paprika and additional olive oil for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and cumin.
2. Blend the mixture until smooth, adding water gradually to achieve your desired consistency.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more lemon juice, salt, or cumin to your preference.
4. Transfer the hummus to a serving dish. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle paprika on top.
5. Serve with pita bread, fresh vegetables, or as a spread.

Falafel:

Falafel are deep-fried patties made from ground chickpeas (or fava beans) and aromatic herbs and spices. They’re typically served in pita bread with various toppings and sauces.

Ingredients:

– 1 cup dried chickpeas (soaked overnight) or canned chickpeas, drained

– 1 small onion, chopped

– 3-4 cloves garlic, minced

– 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

– 1 teaspoon ground cumin

– 1 teaspoon ground coriander

– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

– Salt and pepper, to taste

– Vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions:

1. If using dried chickpeas, drain and rinse after soaking. In a food processor, combine chickpeas, chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, baking soda, salt, and pepper.
2. Pulse the mixture until it’s coarse and well combined, but not a complete paste. You want a slightly chunky texture.
3. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for about 1 hour. This helps the mixture firm up and makes shaping easier.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan to 350°F (175°C).
5. Shape the chickpea mixture into small patties or balls.
6. Carefully drop the falafel into the hot oil and fry until they’re golden brown and crispy on the outside. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes.
7. Remove the falafel using a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
8. Serve the falafel in pita bread with your choice of toppings and sauces, such as tahini sauce, chopped vegetables, and pickles.

Enjoy these flavorful Arabic dishes that are loved for their delicious taste and cultural significance!