HOMOS BI TAHINI - ARABIC SESAME CHICKPEA DIP

Steps:

• Soak chickpeas in water with baking soda overnight.
• Drain water, add fresh water to cover by about 1", and cook until well done, about 1 hour.
• Drain and cool.
• If you want a smoother texture, gently rub beans together, to loosen translucent hulls, and discard them.
• Transfer to bowl of a food processor fitted with steel blade, add garlic and salt, and pulse several times to mash, then puree, scraping down sides several times.
• Stir sesame oil thoroughly to combine before measuring.
• Pour into a small bowl, add cold water, and stir thoroughly; mixture will thicken.
• Add lemon juice, and stir into a smooth sauce.
• Transfer to food processor, pulse several times to combine with chickpea puree, scrape down sides, then mix thoroughly.
• Add olive oil and more tahini to taste, and adjust seasonings with more salt and black and cayenne pepper to taste.
• Transfer mixture to a large shallow dish, smooth the surface, and make several dents in the mixture.
• Spoon olive oil into the dents, and drizzle surface with more olive oil if desired.
• Garnish with chopped parsley and pomegranate seeds if desired.
• Serve with pita bread or veggies; also a good addition to a falafel or lamb sandwich in pita bread.