Sometimes when I'm experimenting with new recipes and something tastes super delicious, I get very impatient. I don't want to take photos, I don't want to blog. All I want to do is sit down and eat it that very minute. It doesn't happen that often but it happened today when I made this chickpeas and spinach recipe with spicy breadcrumbs. I call it rustic cooking at it's best. Unrefined and simple, but also warm and inviting. And did I mention delicious??
Chickpeas are one of the healthiest foods you can consume. They are rich in both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber which makes them great for weight loss. Chickpeas are also a good source of protein and can boost your energy because of their high iron content. I used cooked garbanzo (aka chickpeas) but you can also use dried, soaked and rinsed chickpeas. Cook 1 to 2 hours, or until tender. Hope you enjoy this plant-based chickpeas and spinach recipe as much as I did. Don't miss any of Ordinary Vegan's free recipes by signing up here.
Chickpeas and Spinach with Spicy Breadcrumbs
- 1 13 ounce carton of cooked chickpeas, rinsed
- 6 ounces of fresh spinach (or more)
- 1½ slices of vegan bread, crusts removed, cut into small squares
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 4 cloves of garlic, chopped
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper
- ¾ tablespoon red wine vinegar
- a pinch of saffron (approximately 30 strands), infused in 2 tablespoons of boiling water
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ cup vegetable broth (separated into ¼ cups)
- 1 lemon cut in wedges
- Heat ¼ cup of vegetable broth in a large non-stick sauté pan. Season with a little salt and pepper. Add spinach. Cover and steam until the spinach leaves are just wilted approximately 3-4 minutes. Add more vegetable broth if sticking. Drain in colander and set aside.
- Dry the sauté pan and heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the bread cubes. Toast the bread until golden all over. Transfer to food processor.
- Add the remaining ¼ cup vegetable broth to the sauté pan. When hot, add the garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper and chili flakes. Cook until the garlic is soft adding more vegetable broth if needed. Transfer to the food processor. Add the red wine vinegar. Process to a paste.
- Return the bread mixture to the sauté pan with the drained chickpeas and saffron-infused water. Stir until the chickpeas are hot and have absorbed the flavors of the bread mix and saffron water. Add a little more vegetable broth if sticking or too thick. Taste and season.
- Add the cooked spinach and cook until heated through. Serve sprinkled with paprika and garnish with lemon wedges.
I wish the nutritional info was included in these recipes. As a diabetic, I like to have all the info I can.
Pam
Sorry about that Pam!
My sweet vegan daughters will be home soon for the summer. I will add this into our rotation of good things to eat! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Heidi – Hope you all enjoy it and thanks for being here! Nancy