Hummus with Spiced Beef and Toasted Pine Nuts

Creamy, velvety hummus gets a bold upgrade with warmly spiced beef and toasted pine nuts in this flavorful dish. Fragrant with cinnamon, cumin, and allspice, the beef adds richness, while the pine nuts provide the perfect texture contrast. Whether served as an appetizer, part of a mezze spread, or a hearty snack, this dish is guaranteed to impress.

Ingredients:

• 8-10 oz. hummus*

• 1/2 lb. ground beef

• 2 tsp. allspice

• 2 tsp. paprika

• 2 tsp. Aleppo pepper or chili powder

• 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper, more or less to taste

• 1 tsp. ground cardamom

• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon

• 1 tsp. cumin

• 1 tsp. ground coriander

• 1/2 – 1 tsp. salt, adjust to taste

• 2 tbsp. olive oil, plus more for finishing*

• 1/4 cup pine nuts

• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

• Pita or naan bread, for serving

Preparation:

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and toast, stirring frequently, until golden brown and fragrant, about 2–3 minutes. Watch carefully, as they can burn quickly! Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

   
   

2. In the same skillet, increase heat to medium-high and add 2 tbsp olive oil. Once hot, add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook until browned, about 5–7 minutes.

   
   

3. If needed, drain excess fat from the beef, then return it to the skillet. Reduce heat to medium, add all the spices, and stir to coat. Cook for another 1–2 minutes, allowing the spices to bloom and deepen in flavor.

   
   

4. Stir the toasted pine nuts into the beef mixture, or reserve them for sprinkling on top, depending on your preference.

   
   

5. Spread the hummus onto a serving plate or shallow bowl. Spoon the spiced beef over the hummus, then garnish with toasted pine nuts and fresh parsley. Drizzle with extra olive oil.

   
   

6. Serve immediately with warm pita or naan bread for scooping.

*Notes and suggestions:

• We use store-bought hummus for this recipe. Our favorite is lemon-flavored hummus, but roasted garlic or classic hummus works just as well. Feel free to experiment with different flavors to find your favorite!

  
  

• For an extra layer of flavor, try finishing the dish with an infused olive oil. Lemon or garlic olive oil complements the spices beautifully, while a drizzle of harissa-infused olive oil adds a touch of heat.