Spicy Roast Cauliflower & Chickpeas – Easy Mediterranean Recipes with Chickpeas

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Table of contents:

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How to Cook Spicy Roast Cauliflower & Chickpeas

Ingredients

For the cauliflower

• 1 jar of cooked Chickpeas
• 1 medium cauliflower
• 1 cup of cous cous (or Quinoa)
• 1 Red onion, sliced fine
• Handful of fresh parsley
• 1 large ripe avocado
• 1 tsp Ground Cumin
• 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
• 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper (add more if you prefer extra spicy)
• 1 Small fresh chili (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Creamy tahini dressing

• 2-3 Tbsp tahini (we’ve got a homemade recipe here)
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 small tub of natural Greek yogurt (approx 175g)

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Equipment

• 1 large Baking Tray  
• Parchment paper
• Chef Knife
• Wooden Cutting Board
• Small bowl 
• Whisk or fork
• 2 large plates

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1- Prepare Cauliflower and Chickpeas for Roasting

• Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F
• Rinse and drain the chickpeas and break the cauliflower into small bite-sized florets (you can do this by hand or with a kitchen knife, up to you). 
• Add cauliflower florets to a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Add the chickpeas and sprinkle with the cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. 
• Add a splash of olive oil, season to taste, and toss cauliflower and chickpeas by hand to coat the spices and seasoning. 
• Bake in the middle shelf of the oven for 30-35 minutes or until the cauliflower florets are golden. 
• Remove from the oven and set aside to cool while you make the couscous.

Step 2 – Prepare the Couscous

• Heat around 2 cups of water until boiling. 
• Pour 1 cup of couscous onto a dinner plate, add 2 whole garlic cloves, half a lemon, and a few sprigs of fresh thyme. 
• Give the plate a little shake so it spreads out evenly.
• Gently pour the boiling water over the couscous until the water covers it, then cover the plate with a large lid (or another plate). 
• Leave it to steam for around 2-3 minutes, then remove the top plate and fluff the couscous with a fork.

Optional Step 3 – Prepare the Tahini Dressing

• Add the lemon juice and olive oil to a small bowl and whisk until it emulsifies (around 3 seconds). 
• Next, add the remaining dressing ingredients to the bowl and whisk until combined and you get a smooth consistency (around 1 minute). 

Step 4 – Garnish and Serve

• In a large bowl, combine the couscous and warmed cauliflower and chickpeas and gently mix (be careful not to break apart the cauliflower).
• Add a portion of the cauliflower mixture to a plate (around 2 ladles worth per serving)
• Garnish with some fresh avocado, some thinly sliced red onion, and some fresh chopped parsley.
• Drizzle with the tahini dressing and serve!

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Chickpeas: Mediterranean Recipes 

Packed with protein and rich in flavor, chickpeas are the heart of Mediterranean cuisine, transforming into creamy hummus, crispy falafel, and vibrant salads that bring a taste of the sun-soaked coast to every bite.

From the silky smoothness of hummus, blended with tahini, garlic, and lemon, to the satisfying crunch of golden-brown falafel, these humble legumes have been at the heart of Mediterranean kitchens for centuries. They add depth and texture to vibrant salads, like the refreshing combination of chickpeas, cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta drizzled with olive oil and lemon. 

Chickpeas can be slow-cooked in fragrant stews with spices like cumin, coriander, and paprika, or roasted for a crispy snack. Chickpeas bring warmth and richness to a variety of dishes and are a fantastic (and incredibly healthy ingredient) that should be embraced in your kitchen. 

Whether mashed into dips, tossed in hearty grain bowls, or simmered in comforting soups, chickpeas are a true culinary chameleon, making Mediterranean recipes both delicious and nourishing.

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Creamy Tahini Dressing

The dressing is a simple but very effective combination of Mediterranean ingredients: lemon juice, olive oil, tahini paste, garlic, and natural yogurt. 

This step is optional but super easy to do while the chickpeas and cauliflower cook. 

Once you have your ingredients, it is simply a matter of mixing them in a small bowl until they are combined. Aim for a smooth consistency that will be easy to drizzle over your roasted cauliflower once it cooks. 

Tahini paste

Tahini sauce is a smooth, nutty spread mainly crafted from toasted sesame seeds (though raw seeds can be used, toasting brings out more flavor). Consider it the Middle Eastern equivalent of peanut butter. While simple at its core, its rich taste is often elevated with ingredients like lemon juice, garlic, and salt.

How to Make Tahini at Home

If you have the time, make your own tahini paste, it’s not too difficult and can be stored in the fridge for a few weeks when stored in a jar or similar air-tight container. 

Here’s how to make tahini at home: 

Ingredients

• 2 cups of hulled white or black sesame seeds (like Anthony’s Hulled Sesame Seeds) 
• 4 tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (mild variety, e.g. Hojiblanca)
• ½ tsp Coarse sea salt (we prefer coarse sea salt)

Method

Add the olive oil and blend until a creamy, smooth paste forms. This process may take up to 5 minutes. Stop and scrape the side of the food processor if you need to.

Toast your raw sesame seeds in a dry skillet or pan over medium heat, stirring constantly until they turn golden brown. This should take a minute or two. Do not let them burn.

Transfer the toasted sesame seeds to a food processor. Add a pinch of salt and blend for 1 minute.

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Nutrition Facts

Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories	243
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12.7g	16%
Saturated Fat 2.4g	12%
Cholesterol 1mg	0%
Sodium 189mg	8%
Total Carbohydrate 27.2g	10%
Dietary Fiber 8g	29%
Total Sugars 5.4g
Protein 7.6g
Vitamin D 0mcg	0%
Calcium 106mg	8%
Iron 2mg	12%
Potassium 650mg	14%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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