Hilbeh
Recipe
Hilbeh is often served as a side accompaniment to Yemenites soups and breads. Commonly, people will add a tablespoon of the mixture to their soups or use it as a dip for bread. It is known to be a very healthy miracle food, yet has a reputation similar to garlic – it may cause you to have an odor after consuming it.
Ingredients:
• 3 tablespoon of ground fenugreek seeds
• ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper
• ¼ cup of lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves (optional)
• 1 large vine ripened tomato cut in eights (optional)
• 1 tablespoon of zhug (optional)
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
• salt to taste
Directions:
1. Pour the ground fenugreek seeds into a large bowl. Pour a generous amount of boiling water over the powder and stir. The more water used, the less bitter the final dip will be. Let soak for 5-6 hours, preferably overnight if possible.
2. Drain the water. Process remaining fenugreek jelly in a food processor.
3. Chop tomatoes and garlic into small pieces. Place in a blender with remaning ingredients and process on high for 3 minutes or until very smooth.
4. Taste for additional seasoning. Add the fenugreek jelly & pulse to mix.