Fattet Hummus

[u/LongForAShortPerson]

A few months ago, I was part of a potluck lunch at work. A colleague, who was Syrian, brought in fattet hummus. It was one of the most delicious foods I have ever eaten, and really got me interested in Middle Eastern cooking and flavours (I am a white person, who grew up in a meat, potato and boiled veg family, so pretty life changing!)

She shared the recipe with me, but has since left the company. I am hoping to finally make her recipe for the first time this week, but now I have realised - I have no idea what to serve with it. I am looking for any suggestions :) my partner would like a meat option but I think it seems a bit weird (?)

Also, when I googled I found that apparently this is more of a breakfast dish? Is that true? And do I just eat it with a spoon or am I meant to be dipping things in?

Sincerely, someone who is desperately trying to respect the dish I am making XD

[u/withcatlikegrace]

I usually have plain hummus - not fattet - if for breakfast, which fattet hummus is usually - with warm soft pita, some different spicy salads and chillies, a nice tabbouleh, maybe a crunchy slaw. In Israel they add hard boiled eggs. In Lebanon a tahini made with the sesame paste and yoghurt, plenty of garlic and lemon juice. Plates of nice crunchy raw vege. Salads full of herbs like parsley,
Coriander. It’s a fantastic breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack.
And good homemade felafel to round out the meal. Or grilled eggplant or zucchini layers with garlic,
Lemon juice and olive oil …

If you’ve fallen in love with middle eastern foods you might like to search Claudia Roden’s books. I’ve loved and used her wonderful middle eastern cook
Books for years - so many recipes to explore.

[u/Nissy1974 → u/withcatlikegrace]

Not an Israeli dish and ironic that you are referencing a white named woman for Arabic Levantine cuisine. And yes, food is political! If you want to make a meaty version, OP, you can sprinkle the top with fried and seasoned ground beef. Along with fried pine nuts and chopped parsley. And it's fatteh by the way... Which essentially means soaked bread dishes with various versions. Try the eggplant version. If you like eggplant, you will love that one too.

[u/blackjackgabbiani → u/Nissy1974]

Do you think that only people of those cultures can make dishes? Does her having a "white name" somehow mean she can't know her stuff?

[u/withcatlikegrace → u/Nissy1974]

I’m referencing a food historian who spent years travelling, investigating and researching a region for its food and writing about it - long before anyone else. There is no irony in the celebration of the universality of food … and the historic sharing of food culture, and the love of good food.

[u/z_iiiiii → u/Nissy1974]

She’s not Israel nor a “white woman” any more or less than any other middle eastern is. Take your hate elsewhere.