If you love chickpeas as much as I do, this sandwich is a great way to eat them. I originally saw this recipe for smashed chickpea salad a few years ago over at smitten kitchen and immediately fell in love. My recipe varies slightly from hers, but can definitely be eaten as a chickpea salad or a chickpea sandwich. I like to take my chickpea sandwiches to the next level, and I'll show you how to do that at the end. :D
This is something I make when nothing else sounds good - and it's a fantastically filling work lunch or a quick dinner when you don't want to put much effort into it!
This is something I make when nothing else sounds good - and it's a fantastically filling work lunch or a quick dinner when you don't want to put much effort into it!
Step 1: Ingredients:
- one 14.5 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2-3 tablespoons finely chopped red onion (the more red onion the better!)
- one lemon
- salt and pepper to taste
- one garlic clove, minced
- 1-2 tablespoons chopped parsley or cilantro, whatever you have on hand
- good quality olive oil
Step 2: Zest!
Combine the chickpeas, onion, herbs, and garlic in a medium sized bowl.
Now, zest your lemon! Try to get as much zest as possible off it - it makes it extra yummy! I've forgotten to zest the lemon a couple times when making this and it just didn't taste as awesome.
Now, zest your lemon! Try to get as much zest as possible off it - it makes it extra yummy! I've forgotten to zest the lemon a couple times when making this and it just didn't taste as awesome.
Step 3: Add lemon juice and olive oil!
Squeeze half a lemon over the bowl, being careful to not include any seeds. They can be very hard to see in this mixture!
Then, add a good glug of olive oil (probably a tablespoon to start, you can add more later.)
Also add a good pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. :)
Then, add a good glug of olive oil (probably a tablespoon to start, you can add more later.)
Also add a good pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. :)
Step 4: Mash and adjust seasonings!
Using a potato masher or a giant fork or whatever you can find that would work, mash everything together until you can't see any whole chickpeas anymore. If it seems crumbly, add a little more olive oil to help it come together. :)
At this point, give it a taste! I normally add more pepper and more lemon juice. Just keep adding and tasting until you're happy with it.
At this point, give it a taste! I normally add more pepper and more lemon juice. Just keep adding and tasting until you're happy with it.
Step 5: Epic sandwich time!
This basically turns into a chickpea grilled cheese - it's super easy if you have a sandwich maker, but it's much prettier if you cook it on the stove. :)
Butter two slices of bread and place a little cheese on the first slice. Then layer on a few big spoons of the chickpea mixture, pressing it into place. Add a little more cheese on top and then cook it like you would a grilled cheese. I cook it over medium heat so the outside won't burn before the cheese melts - the cheese melting is key in getting it to turn over without a catastrophe. It kinda acts like glue.
If you're not feeling up to it, it's pretty good on plain old bread too, or in a pita. :D
And you can eat the leftover chickpea mixture as a salad if you like. Double duty!
Butter two slices of bread and place a little cheese on the first slice. Then layer on a few big spoons of the chickpea mixture, pressing it into place. Add a little more cheese on top and then cook it like you would a grilled cheese. I cook it over medium heat so the outside won't burn before the cheese melts - the cheese melting is key in getting it to turn over without a catastrophe. It kinda acts like glue.
If you're not feeling up to it, it's pretty good on plain old bread too, or in a pita. :D
And you can eat the leftover chickpea mixture as a salad if you like. Double duty!
Visit Our Store »
Go Pro Today »
For mewho I don't eat (dead) meat, is great to know more veggie sandwiches, Thanks!