Warm, spicy, hot and filling drink. If you are a hummus lover, I guarantee you will be satisfied.
Last week we experienced Arctic freeze weather, we've had huge storm , schools were closed, roads were a mess and we were trapped inside for the day.
Kids had so much fun playing in the snow with their father next day, to be honest, I did not play and will not play in the snow everrrr, I do not know how do they do it!!!. My husband even makes snow balls with his bare hands!! can you believe this ... really he wows me every time he does that.Seeing the snow gives me goosebumps, so I will not dare to play with it although I've heard it is so much fun... but may be in another life 🙂 or may be I will change my mind and play with my grandchildren one day.
We are expecting another storm tonight, I do not know if it is going to be as much as the one of last week or not but I have to finish this post quickly as I need to head out to the library and the grocery store :). Every time I hear about a snow storm coming I get the urge to stock on food!!! as if I will be trapped for the rest of my life hahaha. Do not judge me please, after all I grew up in a sunny, hot - most of the year- and humid country and I've never seen snow my who life except in pictures.
Although I do not like being trapped in by snow storms, when night falls, it is a whole different story, it gets so bright out there, I really like how it looks outside at night , and next day when the sky clears and the sun is shining over the snow making it shine like diamonds everywhere .. really amazing and calming scene.
After playing in the snow, nothing is better than wrapping your fingers around a hot sup of coco or our favorite winter drink halabessa a.k.a hummus el shaam. I consider this drink a meal in itself, it is very filling and adjustable to your taste.
Halabessa is always served with spices out in another plate, so it is made plain and you adjust it to your taste. Spices are salt, chilli powder, cumin powder and limes. I like putting a lot of chilli powder in my cup to make it even more warming, and with a hint of cumin plus a generous squeeze of lime, this makes a perfect snack - or dare I say sometimes lunch- for me.
So let's see how to make this delicious winter drink, and I hope you've been behaving this year so Santa can drop a huge bag of chickpeas at your doorstep this Christmas ^.~
Halabessa - spicy hummus drink
Ingredients
- 1 cup of dry chickpeas Note1
- 1 medium tomato- quartered.
- 1 medium yellow onion- quartered.
- 2 garlic cloves - whole.
- ½ cup tomato sauce or 2 Tbs tomato paste.
- 1 teaspoon pink salt. Use regular if you do not have pink salt.
Spices to serve with
- Salt ground cumin, chili powder and limes.
Instructions
- Wash chickpeas and soak in water at least for 3 hours, changing the water once or twice.
- Drain the water then put the chickpeas into a pot, cover with water and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce heat to medium, and simmer the chickpeas for 20 minutes, skimming the foam every now and then.
- Add onion, tomato, garlic and tomato sauce and salt then keep simmering the chickpeas until it is done, will take about an hour.
- Serve hot with spices, lemon wedges on the side, Note2
Elle Ibrahim
Dearest Amira
You have a lot to answer for now. Now I know how to make this, my Alexandrian husband is demanding it during our Scottish winter.
He prays for snow whilst I, the Scot, hate it!!!!!!
Best wishes
Amira
Elle, it has actually snowed in Alexandria last week 🙂 so his prayers were answered somehow!! I hate snow too, never liked it and never will.
Mariam
Hello! I want to make some but I cant get dry chickpeas. Only canned ones in water. Any adjustment to the recipe ? Thanks !
Amira
Marian, you can make it with canned chickpeas. Drain and rinse the chickpeas well then proceed with the recipe but do not add the chickpeas. Just boil the other ingredients together then add the chickpeas in the last 5-10 minutes. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions.
Maha
Oh this reminds me of my childhood. We used to have this almost daily when we were young.
Amira
Yesssss Maha, me too. I grew up to this spicy chickpeas too.
Paul
Hi Amira, thank you for this recipe, I just returned from Egypt last night and had this drink in the Khan el Khalli in downtown Cairo. The version I drank had cinnamon and ginger in it which was also amazing. Do you know If I should add the cinnamon and fresh(?) ginger in during the cooking and how much? Many Thanks,
Paul
Amira
Welcome back, I hope you liked it there despite everything going on :). Where did you stay besides Cairo? I've never had Halabessa with cinnamon and ginger before, this must be something new. For my taste, I would go with boiling fresh ginger , thumb size, with all of the ingredients. As for the cinnamon, I would serve it on the side so everyone can spice up his/her cup as desired. I hope this will help and I will sure try these new flavors next time I make Halabessa.
Liz
I do not like the cold either! I'd stay inside with you and sip on this warming hummus drink!