Housewarming

Another blog about housewarming! This afternoon we had our second housewarming party in New Zealand, and invited people from the various activities we now take part in – work (obviously), dancing, singing, and quizzing. We again mulled some wine and had some friends round to help us consume it.

I made some hummous to my traditional recipe. I'm not sure this is totally original, but this is the one I use and I’ve had a few requests for this (Nicola took some along to her choir one night not long ago, and they seemed to enjoy it)... so here it is in all its glory:

1 can chickpeas (400 grammes seems to be the usual size)

Juice of 1 lemon

2 tablespoons tahini

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 garlic clove, blanched

½ teaspoon salt

Pepper

This is the base recipe. I find blanching the garlic clove (put it in a cup or ramekin and pour boiling water on it and let it sit for a few minutes) helps to reduce the bitter garlic taste. Put all the ingredients in a food processor and whizz it up for about a minute.

For added flavour, I also make the following varieties – add these before mixing: sundried tomato (add about 8 sundried tomatoes); sweet chilli (add 12 peppadew peppers, and a hot chilli); lemon and coriander (add the zest of the lemon you’re going to juice, and a bunch of coriander leaves).

It generally tastes better if you can give it a few hours for the flavours to develop - this is particularly true of the lemon and coriander, which always seem to taste better a day after making it.

Now you can make hummous like me!

So a jolly afternoon was had, and everyone got to see our new house. Thanks to all those who brought gifts! When the summer comes we’ll be able to entertain outside on our deck, get the barbie out and have a few beers.