Best Bet: Hummus

Photo by Michael Donahue // Buy this photo

Hummus at Sean's Café.

A co-worker recently brought some hummus -- a dip made from chickpeas -- to the office. It was from Sean's Café. After the first bite, I had to keep going back for more because it was so good.

I went to Sean's a few days later to get my own order. I ran into a friend, Matt Germany, who said he also loves their hummus. It's "always fresh and good," he said.

Ali Zahir, Sean's manager, said he eats hummus every day. "First of all, it's healthy," he said. "Second, it's delicious."

The chef, Robert Smith, is from Memphis. He learned how to make hummus at Sean's. "I eat hummus every day because I make it," he said.

Mohammad Halimah, who owns the place as well as Zaytoon Mediterranean Grill in Cordova, sat down and told me about hummus. In addition to garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas, hummus is made with tahina -- roasted sesame seeds -- and lemon, garlic, salt and olive oil. That's it. They sprinkle parsley, cumin and sumac on top, garnish it with an Kalamata olive and a dill pickle slice and serve it with pita bread.

Hummus is mostly used in the Middle East," Halimah said. He learned how to make it from his mother.

Hummus is an "anytime meal," he said. That includes breakfast. It's high in fiber and protein.

In Beirut, Lebanon, where Halimah is from, they often eat appetizers with no main dish. This is called "mezza." Also included could be baba ghanoush and a plate of olives and a plate of cheese. On Sunday, you might also have a main dish of rice with boiled chicken on top.

They often include a zattar pizza, which is made with thyme, sesame seeds and sumac mixed with olive oil. You pour the mixture on pita bread and bake it like a pizza. I tried one; it's wonderful.

In addition to sampling hummus twice a day at his restaurants, Halimah eats hummus twice a week at home. For dipping, they use baby carrots, broccoli and "the little one, he uses his finger."

Sean's Cafe is at 1651 Union; (901) 274-3917.

-- Michael Donahue: (901) 529-2797; donahue@commercialappeal.com

© 2012 Go Memphis. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.