Hummus

Helen and I love hummus. If you are even a mildly routine follower, you already know this.

 ...However I dont believe I ever finished The Hummus Saga.

Our Hummus Saga

It started one afternoon when Helen and I agreed that we wanted hummus. We went to Alcampo (the "Costco meets Target" of Spain) looking for hummus. We talked to numerous Spanish speakers trying to make the "H" silent "Tiene UUUmas?" to which they would respond in varying strange looks.

Alcampo did not have UUUmas.

Armed with our craving, we went to Court Ingles (the American department/grocery store on growth hormones). The first building we went into turned out to be Court Ingles: Music. We found this out after going through all SEVEN stories and seeing only electronics. We quickly realized that there was another Court Ingles building. Actually three more Court Ingles Buildings. After finally getting to the correct building, we had to figure out what floor (out of the 8) the "supermercado" was on. It was in the basement. After looking around and asking more Spaniards, it became evident that Court Ingles: Mercado did not have hummus either.

Days later, Kendra is in Spanish class

[Topic of the day: differences between Spain and the US]

Me: Espana no tiene UUUmas! (Spain does not have hummus!)

Professora: Conoces Court Ingles? (Do you know Court Ingles?)

Me: Si! Pero Court Ingles no tiene UUUmas! (Yes! But Court Ingles does not have hummus!)

Professora: Siiiii (Yeeees!)

Me: A Donde? (Where?)

Professora: Circa de la comida de "hewwish" (Near the ______ food)

Me: No comprendo. "Hewwish?" (I dont understand. Hewwish?)

Professora: Hewwwwwwish (Hewwwwwwish)

Me: Ooooh Jewish!! Comprendo! (Oooh Jewish! I understand!)

Then she explained to me that only the larger Court Ingles's had Jewish sections and that we would probably need to go to the one near Nuevos Ministerios (the metro stop where we switch lines).

Court Ingles Experience 2:

We got off the metro (which was confusing enough as there were 6 exits all depositing you on different street courners). We went into the Court Ingles we had passed during our run and realized quickly that we were in the wrong place. This was Court Ingles: Toy Store. They had everything from Life Sized Labradors to a sweet shop. We went up a flight and found ourselves in Court Ingles: Sports Gear and Wear! We tried to ask where the "supermercado" was but no one seemed to know. So we exited the building and tried a different entrance. After going through two tunnels and a restaurant, we found ourselves facing another Court Ingles. We went in. This was Court Ingles: Rock Band. We found green feet to follow on the ground so we did. The feet took us to Court Ingles: Bookstore and Court Ingles: Ladies Wear and then finally to the Supermercado.

Finally inside the market, we began our hunt. "If I were Jewish food I would be... Refrigerated!" So we went to the refrigerated section, but found nothing. On our way past the carrots we saw a sign that said "Kosher." We were close!! We rounded the corner and there it was.... UUUmas. Of course it was 4 euros ($6) for about half of a normal Trader Joes serving but it did not matter!! WE HAD OUR HUMMUS!! We got carrots and beelined for the exit.

Hardly able to control our salivary glands, we sat down right outside of Court Ingles: Mercado and enjoyed our best lunch yet. Carrots and Hummus.

Yesterday night at dinner over Garbanzo Bean Soup.

Kendra: (playing with her food) you know we could probably just make hummus out of the left over beans.

Helen: I actually looked up a recipe online the other day

Kendra: (mashing her beans) See look! Hummus!

Helen: That just looks like chewed garbanzo beans. We could probably just make hummus in our mouths.

Helens Recipe for Hummus

Ingredients:
Garbanzo beans 
Instructions:
But beans into mouth. Chew. Add carrot if desired. 

Moral of the Story ONE: The next time you are at Trader Joes perusing the 13 different types of hummus (all for under 4 dollars) remember just how lucky you are. 

Moral of the Story TWO: If you are at Helen's dinner party, may I suggest the bree.