Mediterranean Smashed Chickpeas
Ingredients
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion , diced
Salt and pepper
4 garlic cloves , minced
1/2 tsp coarsely ground toasted cumin
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 cup finely diced celery
4 cups chickpeas (garbanzo beans) , cooked or canned
2 Tbsp lemon juice
4 hard-cooked eggs , peeled and quartered (optional)
Minted yogurt (optional) , see notes
Tahini sauce (optional) , see notes
Directions
1. Put 3 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook gently until softened, about 10 minutes. Raise heat to medium-high. Add garlic, cumin, red pepper flakes and celery. Stir to combine let sizzle without browning for 1 minute.
2. Add chickpeas and let them heat through. With a potato masher or wooden spoon, crush about half the beans. Stir well, taste and adjust seasoning. Add 1/2 cup water (or bean cooking liquid if you have it) and let mixture simmer briskly for a minute or two. Stir in lemon juice and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Serve warm in pita or as a dip or side dish. Garnish with quartered eggs, accompanied by minted yogurt and tahini sauce, if desired.
Notes
NOTETo make minted yogurt, stir 2 tablespoons chopped mint and 1 minced garlic clove into a cup of thick yogurt. Season with salt and pepper.
NOTETo make tahini sauce, mix 1/4 cup Middle Eastern sesame paste with 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 3 tablespoons olive oil.