The new Lebanese Guinness record and how it made me famous
Many journalists, Israeli and from abroad, has contacted me lately, asking questions about the so called “Hummus War” I’ve been covering here, and also in the highly popular Hebrew edition of the blog. And when the new Lebanese Guinness Record (a 2-ton hummus plate) was declared the flow of attention doubled.
Some of you probably wondered what I have to say about the new hummus guinness record, set by 300 Lebanese chefs. WELL, the first thing that pops in mind is this: never have so many did so much for The Hummus Blog.
In the past two weeks search traffic to this blog went through the roof, with blogs as well as large news sites linking to it from all over the world.
Ynet, the largest news site in Israel asked for a special column. Other local newspapers and radio stations interviewed or asked me to comment about the matter. Some foreign journalists also called me, including French24, and a BBC reporter who, sadly, tried to reach me in the middle of a rock concert. Read more
Rice and Chickpeas: a Recipe with a Story
Rice and Chickpeas casserole is one of the best dishes of the Jewish cuisine, and there’s also a nice story behind it. Zeev Galili, our dad, writes about it’s origins and gives the only true recipe.
Every ethnic dish has a reason. The motivation behind it’s invention could be religious, historical, social, economical etc. – but there’s always a “reason” and there’s always a story.
For example, have you ever wondered how and why was Gefilte Fish (stuffed fish) invented? The fascinating answer is that separating the fish from it’s bones in Sabbath is forbidden according to the Halacha (Jewish law). This dish of sliced fish, stuffed with soft burger made out of minced fish, was originally made as a solution to this religious challenge. Read more
Even GOD eats hummus in Tel-Aviv
Hummus is gradually becoming one of the Middle-Eats most successfully exported cultural-products. Very much as a result of tourists who experienced it while in the region, and became missionaries. It looks like even god eats hummus when he visits Tel-Aviv, and you know how powerful he is, when it comes to the publics opinion.
We got this movie, by Assaf Billet, showing just how much god favors hummus over other dinning options.
The Yemen Power: Zhuk (plus recipe)
Zhuk, a Yemen paste of hot green peppers, is one of the hottest things to spice your food with. Very easy to make, and there’s also a story.
Until 1493, the only pepper outside the American continnent was the one we know today as “black pepper”. And when Christopher Columbus brought the first chilis to Europe, no one seemed to care.
It took some 150 years until the old world came to it’s senses, but after that the tiny veg was caltivated and quickly spread to all Europe (espcialy Italy and Hungery) and from there to North Africa, the Middle-East and Asia, where it was engineered into over 2000 species and varaieties of peppers, and dozens of different spices.
Hot peppers are very common in all Midlle Eastern cuisines, where it is eaten fresh, cooked or pickled. In most hummus places in Israel and Arab countries, hot peppers are an integral part of the course – fresh or as part of a sauce of some kind (NEVER as one of the hummus ingredients).
In some places the hummus is served with Tatbila, a thin sauce from ground green peppers with lots of garlic and lemon. Many Israeli hummus places serve it with Harif (“hot”), a local variation of the North African sauce called Arissa, in which red chilis are the main ingredient. Read more
The Hummus Rap
Several times before I adressed the subject of how the Hummus Culture affect the west. On the one hand, there’s no collision of civilizations here – people from different regions fall in love with hummus just the same, regardless of their beliefs. On the other hand – we all know that hummus is far more than just “food”. I guess we are withnessing a Peaceful Rise, than.
“…Clap your hands really fast
If you think hummus is the best
Now shake sh-shake shake your pita
If you hit the hummus with paprika”
The man who named his son Hummus
Is it really possible that someone would call his son after a legume, and what does that have to do with ancient Roman Philosophers.
Found this amusing story in Bintel Blog, a part of Forward’s online version. The writer, took a cab to Ta’ami Hummus in the Jerusalem and was surprised to find out the name of the cab driver was “Abu Hummus”. You should check it out – there’s also a picture. Read more
New Guinness Recored: Largest Hummus Plate ever
Over a 1000 tones of hummus were eaten last week, during Israelis Independance Day (“Yom Haatzmaut”). 400kg (881 pounds) of which in a Jerusalem event, out of a single Guiness-Record size plate.
It was last year when the American Sabra hummus manufacturer set the first Guinness Record for eating hummus in a New-York event. They served their hummus in a plate with a diameter of 3.5 meter (3.8 yards).
Last week a new the record was set in Mahaneh Yehuda market in Jerusalem: Hummus Tzabar, an Israeli hummus manufacturer, served some 400kg (881 pounds) of hummus in a 4 meter (4.35 yard) plate. This incredible hummus feast was documented of course, to verify the Guinness Record commitee it really happened. Here’s one of the pictures:
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