Description
Creamy harissa chickpeas are a bold and comforting vegetarian dish featuring tender chickpeas simmered in a rich, spiced sauce made with harissa, sun-dried tomatoes, and cream. Quick to prepare and full of flavor, it’s perfect for weeknights or dinner parties.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped (about 100 g)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon harissa paste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional, adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes in oil, finely chopped
- 2 cans chickpeas (400 g each), drained and rinsed
- 1 cup vegetable broth (240 ml)
- 3/4 cup heavy cream or cooking cream (180 ml)
- 1/3 cup grated vegetarian hard cheese or parmesan-style cheese (30 g)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, finely chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the harissa paste, smoked paprika, oregano, and chili flakes. Stir well and cook for 1 minute to release the spices’ aromas.
- Mix in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
- Add the chickpeas and stir until well coated in the spice mixture.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in the cream. Simmer for another 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add the grated cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Remove from heat and garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
- Use plant-based cream and vegan cheese to make this dish vegan.
- Add spinach, kale, or bell peppers for extra veggies.
- Serve with rice, couscous, pasta, or crusty bread.
- Adjust harissa amount for more or less spice.
- Not ideal for freezing as the creamy sauce may separate.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
