Also made with bulgur, itch is somewhat like the Armenian version of tabbouleh, but with a bolder, spicier flavour thanks to ingredients such as cumin and chili pepper. It is also the favourite dish of Marie, my mother-in-law, whom I wanted to honour by including this recipe in the book.

When hummus gets dressed up for a special occasion, this is how it appears at our table. In other words, this is hummus in its gourmet version.