A Taste of the Mediterranean: The Delightful Dance of Herbs in this Roasted Chickpea Dish
Summertime Flavors
As the summer sun keeps shining, there’s no better time to dive into the delicious world of Mediterranean cuisine. We are taking you on a journey to indulge in the flavors of a vibrant and zesty Herbed Mediterranean Chickpea dish! The Atlanta Botanical Garden members were delighted to try this on our special summer Member Night as they strolled through the Edible Garden and Outdoor Kitchen.
Fresh herbs bring life and zest to any dish; this chickpea dish is no exception. We’ve got a star-studded lineup here – fresh thyme and rosemary adding their unique charisma to this dish. Once we sauté the onions for a bit, toss them in your favorite bakeware dish along with the garbanzo beans. Add in the kalamata olives and capers, along with a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil. As you toss them all together, you must decide how spicy you would like to make it. You can use either red chili flakes or a small spoonful of chopped Calabrian peppers should you have them on hand!
Now, what’s a Mediterranean salad without a citrusy twist? Cue the lemon! Slice lemon slices and add them in right before baking this dish. Its tangy embrace gracefully complements the herby charm of the chickpeas, elevating the salad to new heights. Who knew just how good lemon rinds are when roasted for a bit?
It wouldn’t be a Mediterranean salad without a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese. The feta adds a burst of savory richness and a hint of saltiness, elevating the flavors and adding a touch of the unexpected to our culinary dance. We used a lovely sheep feta for this one.
Everyone will love this Dish
Whether planning a fun gathering with friends, looking to impress your family, or simply craving a delightful solo meal, this roasted chickpea dish will never disappoint. It’s a celebration of herbs, olives, capers, onion, and olive oil, all coming together to create a taste sensation that’ll make your heart and taste buds sing in joy. Enjoy this dish served warm or chilled!
Herbed Mediterranean Chickpeas
Ingredients
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 3 cups cooked chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives chopped
- 1/4 cup capers drained
- 1 small lemon sliced into wheels and seeded
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs rosemary
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375. In a medium skillet, sauté onions on medium-high heat with a splash of olive oil until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Transfer cooked onions to a baking dish.
- Add drained chickpeas, capers, olives, lemon wheels, chili flakes, thyme sprigs, rosemary sprigs, sea salt, and fresh cracked pepper. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the chickpeas and stir gently to combine. Cover with foil or lid and bake for 45 minutes. Remove from oven. Add crumbled feta. Allow chickpeas to cool a bit before serving.
