Chickpea Sandwich

by jessyratfink

9.1K14614

Intro: Chickpea Sandwich

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!

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
And for a very fancy sandwich - bread, butter, and a little of your favorite shredded cheese. (I use Earth Balance and Daiya cheese, so it's vegan!)

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.

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. :)

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.

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!

11 Comments

poofrabbit 11 years ago

I love chickpeas!!! I sometimes just eat chickpeas with a little bit of salad dressing and sunflower seeds....I get some odd looks at work lol. I'm going to give this a try thanks for the idea!

jessyratfink 11 years ago

Haha, I eat them straight out of the can sometimes. I've eaten a 1/4 of the can while trying to make this recipe before... they're just so good.

poofrabbit 11 years ago

You are so right! I'm glad I am not alone in my can eating as well :D

heelercjwww 11 years ago

I made this today for lunch at work. I am known to add bacon to everything, or at least some kind of meat. So this was met with some confusion as i made these sandwiches for the guys. It went over great. Everyone liked it. Great recipe, keep up the good work.

porcupinemamma 11 years ago

Is the final combo humus? (don't think I spelt that right)

jessyratfink 11 years ago

No, not really. But if you added some tahini it could be like a chunky hummus. :D

mikolynn 11 years ago

Mhhh! Shure it's a"fresh" and tasteful sandwich!
For mewho I don't eat (dead) meat, is great to know more veggie sandwiches, Thanks!

SHIFT! 11 years ago

I'm not a huge fan of chick peas, but your method actually makes them look delicious!

desertsniper 11 years ago

I'm not into the vegan food, but this looks tasty!