Bissara Split Pea Dip
A velvety Moroccan dip of blended split peas or dried fava beans, seasoned generously with cumin, paprika, and garlic, then finished with olive oil. Served warm with crusty bread for dipping.
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow split peas, rinsed
- 6 cups water
- 6 cloves garlic cloves, peeled
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp sweet paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin (for topping)
- 1/2 tsp sweet paprika (for topping)
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Instructions
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1
Combine 1 cup rinsed yellow split peas and 6 cups water in a medium saucepan with 6 cloves peeled garlic cloves. Bring to a boil over high heat, skimming any foam. Reduce to a steady simmer and cook uncovered 35-40 minutes until the split peas are very soft and falling apart.
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2
Drain, reserving about 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Transfer the split peas and garlic to a blender. Add 2 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp sweet paprika, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp kosher salt, and juice from 1 lemon.
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3
Blend until very smooth, adding reserved cooking liquid a little at a time until the dip reaches a thick, pourable consistency (similar to hummus).
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4
With the blender running on low, drizzle in most of the 1/4 cup olive oil and blend until silky.
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5
Transfer to a wide shallow bowl. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil, dust with 1/2 tsp ground cumin (for topping) and 1/2 tsp sweet paprika (for topping), and scatter 2 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley over the top. Serve warm.