Hmmm... What IS Hummus Anyway?

Hmmmm..... hummus.. something we enjoy as an appetizer with small pieces of flatbread, or pita bread - has a great, rich flavor and is becoming more and more popular as a (somewhat) healthier alternative to other pre-meal nibbles or afternoon snacks. But WHAT is it? And most importantly, is it GREEK?

Turns out, not. It's a popular dish throughout the Middle East - and appears to have originated there too. But don't fret: the Pita bread we eat it with definitely IS! (The actual word being from Byzantine Greekπίτα meaning pie.) Opa!

Back to hummus.What's in it? Well, recipes vary by region and culture - but it's mostly cooked, mashed chickpeas, blended with sesame seed paste (tahini), olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. And what's best about it - is that it's a healthy alternative to so many other snacks. Why? Hummus has tons of vitamin C, iron, folate and vitamin B6. Being 'beany' - it's also chock-full of protein and fiber. 

In Greece, it's typically served as part of a meze (appetizer or small plate) or as a side dish to grilled chicken, fish or eggplant.

Welcome To Dallas - VOLOS TAVERNA

When Volos is mentioned, I have thoughts of the beautiful port city in Thessaly near the Greek mainland.. not far from Athens, Greece.

Now, Volos will hold new thoughts (and yummy ones, too) in our minds as Zizikis opens the Volos Taverna in Addison.

Costa and Mary Arabatzis decided to open a sister concept of Zizikis and will focus on delicious Greek cuisine and influence Dallas has come to love with Zizikis. The Volos menu will be a bit smaller - and their vision is an affordable, exclusive and friendly wine bar with a selection of scrumptious mezzes, or Greek appetizers - as well as some of variations on some of the favorites from the Zizikis menu.

Costa created the small plated items and they are all priced perfectly for either a romantic dinner for two, the family or a night out with friends. The menu features a wide variety of appetizers as well as several new dishes.

Costa describes one on his new dishes “a beautifully sautéed chicken with lemon and a white wine sauce, served with gigante beans from Greece, they're like fava beans, they're BIG. They're done with a little prosciutto and some roasted tomatoes or bell peppers"

They added in two more dips to compliment their famous artichoke hummus dip. The eggplant dip or Greek caviar (Tarama) is certain to be a favorite and they will introduce flatbread to the menu, which has not be a selection until now.

Most of the establishment located at 5000 Belt Line Road at the Addison Walk will be the bar with the rest being seating for patrons for food. The bar is long with breathtaking dark colors and certainly is a sight.

You can also visit the original Zizikis at Travis Walk, the Preston location or the Lakeside Market in Plano. Whichever location you decide, one of the Zizikis family of restaurants will certainly become one of your favorites!