Hummuṣ bi ṭaḥīna

This popular dip found throughout the Middle East is made from mashed chickpeas (Hummus in Arabic) blended with sesame paste, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and salt. Its an Arabic name which means "Chickpeas with Tahini".
To know more about its nutritional benefits and serving methods, click here.

Ingredients
Chick peas (soaked in water overnight) - 300 gms
Garlic pods (crushed finely)- 2-3
Sesame paste (Tahini)- 200 gms
Lemon juice(from 1 lemon)
Cumin powder - 1 tsp
Olive oil - 100 ml
Paprika powder (chilli powder)- 1 tsp
Salt - as desired
Corriander leaves(chopped) - optional
Parsley (chopped) - optional

Method
1. Cook the chickpeas until soft. Remove the skin. Make a puree using a blender.

2. Mix the chickpeas puree with garlic, lemon juice, cumin powder, sesame paste, salt to make a smooth paste.

3. Mix the olive oil and paprika powder in a small bowl.

4. Pour this oil over the puree paste. Add a little water if desired.
5. Garnish Hummus with corriander leaves and when served with a warm fresh bread, it serves as a complete protein rich food !

This recipe goes to Nithu Bala's CWF - Chickpeas event, started by Kiran.

Haysa Al-Tumreya (Dip for Dates)

Dates are used in many recipes throughout the Middle East and are enjoyed alone as a snack or sometimes complemented with a dip. Haysa Al-Tumreya is nothing but a combinaion of flour and oil, cooked together.

Ingredients for 6-8 people
All purpose flour - 3/4 cup
vegetable oil or shortening - 1/2cup
Dates, pitted.

Method
1. Combine the  flour and the oil in a pan and heat over low flame. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture turns golden brown.
2. Remove from heat and pour onto a serving bowl/plate.

Serve while hot with a bowl of pitted dates.
This recipe goes to AWED- Saudi Arabia hosted by Niloufer originally started by DK of Chef in you

Notes :

Talking about dates, I would also like to mention about its significance in Islam and its worthy mention in the Quran. Allah reveals her situation

The pains of labor drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She exclaimed: "Oh, if only I had died before this time and was something discarded and forgotten!" A voice called out to her from under her: "Do not grieve. Your Lord has placed a small stream at your feet. Shake the trunk of the palm toward you, and fresh, ripe dates will drop down to you. Eat and drink, and delight your eyes. If you should see anyone at all, just say: 'I have made a vow of abstinence to the All-Merciful, and [so] today I will not speak to any human being.'" (Surah Maryam, 19 : 23-26)

Prophet `Isa's (as) Birth and Allah's Support of Maryam
Allah fully supported Maryam throughout her pregnancy. It is very difficult for a woman to give birth, a potentially life-threatening experience, all alone, without medical equipment or a midwife's assistance. Nevertheless, Maryam overcame all of these difficulties by placing her complete trust in Allah. Allah helped her with revelations while she was struggling toward a date tree in the full throes of labor pains. Allah told her not to grieve, that He had placed a stream at her feet, and that she should shake the date tree in order to get freshly ripe dates to eat. He also told her to drink and to delight her eyes. As a result, she gave birth in the best possible circumstances.
  
From the Hadith Sahih Bukhari :

Hadith Book 27, Number 3828:
Hadith Narrated Abdullah ibn Busr ibn Atiyyah ibn Busr:
The Apostle of Allah, Muhammad (peace_be_upon_him) came to visit us and we offered him butter and dates, for he liked butter and dates.

Hadith Book 023, Number 5078:
‘A’isha reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: A family which has dates will not be hungry.

Hadith Book 27, Number 3827:
Hadith Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu’minin:
The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) used to eat melon with fresh dates, and he used to say: The heat of the one is broken by the coolness of the other, and the coolness of the one by the heat of the other.

Hadith Volume 7, Book 65, Number 351:
Hadith Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Ja’far bin Abi Talib:
I saw Allah’s Apostle eating fresh dates with snake cucumber.
Notes: dates are warm and sweet, cucumber cold and salty, the perfect balance

Patlican Salatasi - Aubergine/Eggplant Dip

Its a Turkish Meze and is very refreshing on the palette with a unique combo of Auberginen with garlic A very good substitute for raita (Yogurt Dip).


Ingredients
Egg plant - 1 big size
Yogurt - 500 gms
Olive oil -2 tbsp
garlic - 2 pods, crushed
salt to taste
pepper powder

Preparation
1. Wash and cut the egg plant into small cubes.
















2. Cook them in water until soft.
3. Drain and squeeze out the excess water.
4. Mash the cooked egg plant with a fork.
















5. In a bowl, Combine Yogurt, mashed egg plant, crushed garlic, olive oil ,salt and pepper.

Tip:
1. Serve it with rice or Bulgur Pilavi.
 2. To get the best flavor, the eggplants could be cooked on a fire or a grill.

This recipe goes to the event Dish it out by Vardhini, guest hosted by Sangee Vijay of Spicy Treats