You guys…this is the first time in ten years that I’ll actually have to work on the 14th of July (without earning holiday pay, at least…!). This is also my first Bastille Day that I’ll be celebrating since actually being French! Much like the last time I had the 4th of July off work was ten years ago, I now have two countries whose independance day festivities must be celebrated from my office. I survived though, and have a nice little spicy hummus recipe to share with you today! Also, keep reading for a little bonus all the way at the bottom of this post 😉
July 14th is Bastille Day or La Fete Nationale in France, which commemorates the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789. I’m feeling particularly nostalgic for my adoptive country today, and am a bit disappointed to be missing out on the parade, the picnics, BBQs and all-around good cheer. If you’re wondering what French people actually do on the 14th of July, then check out this video from Comme un Francaise: http://www.commeunefrancaise.
I’ve got my adorable French husband by my side here in London, though, so I suppose I have all the French-ness that I need at all times anyway 🙂
So while Jonathan and I would prefer to be picnicing out on the Champs de Mars in Paris, instead we are at home in our lovely little London apartment, enjoying a nice bottle of Médoc that his parents kindly brought us when they were in town last week, waiting for our chicken to roast 🍷🍗
On the menu for tonight is a Harissa-rubbed roast chicken (yum! lol) with potatoes cooked in the drippings, with homemade red-chili hummus and pitta chips as an appetizer. A nice multicultural meal for our multicultural home ❤️🇺🇸🇫🇷
This hummus was so on-point, you guys — I even surprised myself with the stuff! The best part of hummus is the garlic (yummmmm) but since I can’t really eat it in mass quantities like I would do if I could, I was worried that it’d come out bland. Oh, and I didn’t use tahini. It all worked out, though, and this recipe got the Jonathan stamp of approval, too. This one’s a winner you guys — try it for yourself!
- 1 400g can of chickpeas (drained, save the liquid)
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil (plus extra to drizzle on top)
- 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
- Sesame seeds & red chili flakes for garnish
- Place the chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, sesame oil and salt in a food processor and pulse for about 60 seconds to break down the chickpeas and combine the ingredients. Scrape down the sides a bit, if needed.
- Turn the food processor back on, and slowly add in the olive oil (through the little spout thingy). If yours doesn’t have a spout that you can pour into while running, just add all the oil in and continue processing.
- Serve garnished with some red chili flakes, sesame seeds and extra olive oil. Then go crazy with pitta chips, carrot sticks, or whatever else you want! This stuff goes with everything. Enjoy!
Note: I had to let my food processor go for a good 2 minutes before I got a nice and smooth consistency. If yours is too thick, then slowly add in the liquid that you saved when you drained the chickpeas.
As a bonus, maybe because our wedding anniversary is coming up and maybe because I’m missing Paris just a little bit more than usual, here are two of my favorite moments from our engagement photo shoot 💕
Xx
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