Yassou! I’m Karolos Vassilopoulos, a Greek-American blogger with an insatiable love for Mediterranean cuisine! Today, I’m excited to share with you my latest recipe: Mediterranean Delights: Greek-Inspired Chickpeas with Parsley and Cumin. Trust me, guys, this dish is a game-changer for your taste buds.
Karolos is a travel enthusiast and a lover of Mediterranean culture. He has always been fascinated by the flavors and aromas of Greek cuisine and enjoys exploring the unique ingredients and recipes that make it so special.
Karolos Vassilopoulos currently resides in the United States and grew up in Greece.
So, let me tell you a little about myself. I was born and raised in Greece, a country famous for its delicious food and rich culinary tradition. Growing up, I spent countless hours in my grandmother’s kitchen, learning the art of cooking from scratch. This recipe is close to my heart because it reminds me of my childhood memories spent in the kitchen with my family, cooking up a storm. The flavors of onions, garlic and cumin all remind me of home, and I can’t wait for you to try it out!
This recipe has been passed down through generations in my family, hailing from a small village in Greece. It’s a dish that Greeks refer to as ‘Revithia’, which translates to ‘chickpeas’ in English. Every time I make this dish, I feel connected to my heritage and family, and I’m reminded of the simple pleasures of life. In Greece, it’s common to eat chickpeas as a street food snack, and they are eaten all year round. They are a great source of protein and can be prepared in so many different ways. This particular recipe, with all the yummy spices and herbs, is a no-fail crowd-pleaser. Try it out, and you’ll find yourself feeling transported to the exotic Mediterranean sea, just like I do whenever I make it!
What you need
If you love Mediterranean cuisine, you’re going to love this Greek-Inspired Chickpea recipe! It’s loaded with protein, gluten-free, vegan and easy to make in just a few simple steps. This dish begins with canned chickpeas that are heated in a large skillet with sautéed onions, garlic, and cumin. After cooking for a few minutes, the chickpeas are infused with a bright and tangy lemon juice, and a generous helping of fresh, crisp parsley. The result? A delicious and hearty dish that will make you want to pack your bags and head to the Mediterranean. Eat it as a side dish, over rice, or use it as a filling for a wrap. The possibilities are endless with these flavorful and healthy Mediterranean Delights!
Ingredients:
- Canned chickpeas – Chickpeas are the heart of this recipe, providing protein and fiber. Canned chickpeas are used in this recipe but you can also use dried chickpeas that have been soaked overnight and cooked for 1-2 hours.
- Red onion – Red onion adds a sharp and sweet flavor to this recipe, while also providing a bit of crunch. If you don’t have red onion, you can substitute with white onion or shallots.
- Garlic – Garlic adds a deep flavor and aroma to this recipe. If you don’t like garlic, you can leave it out or reduce the amount.
- Cumin – Cumin is a spice with a warm and earthy flavor that is common in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking. It adds depth to this recipe. You can substitute with ground coriander or chili powder.
- Lemon – Lemon juice adds a tangy and bright flavor to this recipe. You can substitute with lime juice if you prefer.
- Parsley – Parsley adds a fresh and slightly bitter flavor to this recipe, balancing out the sweetness of the onions and lemon. You can substitute with cilantro or dill if you prefer.
- Extra-virgin olive oil – Extra-virgin olive oil is the perfect Mediterranean oil for this recipe. Use a good-quality oil for the best flavor. You can substitute with avocado oil.
- Salt and black pepper – Salt and black pepper enhance all the flavors in this dish. Use freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor.
Utensils:
- Large skillet
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring spoons
- Can opener – Only needed if using canned chickpeas.
Cumin
As a big fan of Mediterranean cuisine, I absolutely love using cumin in my cooking. This spice is derived from the seeds of a plant in the parsley family, and has a warm, earthy, and slightly bitter flavor that works perfectly with chickpeas, vegetables, and meats. Not only does cumin add depth and complexity to dishes, but it’s also been used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. While cumin is often associated with Mexican and Indian cuisine, it’s a staple spice in many Mediterranean dishes, and this Greek-Inspired Chickpea recipe wouldn’t be complete without it!
Lemon
When life gives you lemons, make Greek-Inspired Chickpeas! One of my all-time favorite ingredients, lemon is a superstar of the citrus world. Its high acidity adds a bright, tangy flavor to dishes, while also cutting through rich or heavy ingredients. In this recipe, lemon juice is added at the end of cooking, giving this dish a fresh pop of flavor. But lemons aren’t just tasty, they’re also packed with vitamin C, an antioxidant that’s great for boosting your immune system. Additionally, studies show that incorporating lemons into your diet may help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. So the next time you’re making a recipe and it needs a little lift, don’t forget the lemon!
What to serve it with?
Personally, I love to serve my Greek-Inspired Chickpeas with Parsley and Cumin over a bed of fluffy basmati rice. It’s a match made in heaven that balances the tanginess of the lemon juice and the warmth of the cumin. The fluffy rice provides the perfect canvas for all those delicious flavors to meld together and truly pop. The scent of the rice and chickpeas mixing is simply intoxicating! It’s a wholesome and nutritious meal that will leave you feeling satisfied. Plus, rice is something that is eaten all the time in Greece, often as a side dish to accompany protein, so it’s dear to me as it connects me even more to my roots. Give it a try and let us know what you think!
Summary
Well folks, that’s all for my Mediterranean Delights: Greek-Inspired Chickpeas with Parsley and Cumin recipe! I hope you enjoyed cooking alongside me as much as I did writing about it. Remember, as a fellow Greek-American, I encourage you all to embrace the flavors and aromas of the delicious Mediterranean cuisine, and this recipe is a fantastic way to start doing that. So, why don’t you give it a whirl in your own kitchen and drop a comment below, telling me about your experience with it? Did you use it as a side dish, over rice, or in a wrap? Do you have any tips or tricks you’d like to share? I’d love to hear your thoughts and see your pictures, so don’t be shy! Thank you all for your time and happy cooking! Yassou!
Here’s the recipe:
Mediterranean Delights: Greek-Inspired Chickpeas with Parsley and Cumin
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- cutting board
- Sharp Knife
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring spoons
- Can opener
Ingredients
- 2 cans (14 oz each) Canned chickpeas
- 1 medium, diced Red onion
- 3 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1, juiced Lemon
- 1/2 cup, chopped Parsley
- 3 tablespoons Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon each Salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Prep ingredients - Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas. Dice the red onion. Mince the garlic cloves. Juice the lemon. Chop the parsley. -
- Cook onions and garlic - Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook until softened, 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cumin, and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant. -
- Add chickpeas and seasoning - Add the chickpeas to the skillet and stir well to coat them with the onion mixture. Season with salt and black pepper. -
- Cook the chickpeas - Cook the chickpeas for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally so that they cook evenly. If the chickpeas look dry, add a splash of water or vegetable broth to the skillet. -
- Add parsley and lemon juice - Add the chopped parsley and lemon juice to the skillet and stir well to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. - For a little extra heat, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce at this stage.
- Serve - Serve the Greek-Inspired Chickpeas warm, garnished with additional chopped parsley and lemon wedges if desired. -
