Spanish Chickpea and Tomato Medley
This vibrant Spanish-inspired dish beautifully combines tender chickpeas and luscious grape tomatoes, creating a harmonious melody of flavors and textures. The addition of smoked Spanish paprika introduces a hint of warmth and depth, while anchovies—subtle yet impactful—enhance the dish's overall umami profile. Ideal as a main dish for vegetarians (simply omit the anchovies), it also serves as a delightful base for grilled fish or pairs well with sausages for meat lovers. Perfect for sharing in small portions at a tapas gathering, this dish showcases the wholesome goodness of garbanzo beans and the freshness of seasonal tomatoes. Enjoy it as a comforting masterpiece any time of the year.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
garbanzo beans
1 (16 ounce) can (drained)
grape tomatoes
1 lb (halved)
onion
1 medium (chopped)
olive oil
4 teaspoons (none)
garlic cloves
4 (minced)
anchovy fillets
4 (chopped (or use 1 tablespoon of anchovy paste))
capers
3 tablespoons (none)
smoked Spanish paprika
1 teaspoon (none)
dried parsley
1 tablespoon (none)
dried oregano
1 teaspoon (none)
lemon pepper
1 teaspoon (none)
salt
to taste (none)
sausage
optional (sliced or whole grilled)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2
Chop the onion and add it to the skillet, sautéing until soft and starting to take on color, about 5-7 minutes.
3
While the onion cooks, mince the garlic cloves and chop the anchovy fillets.
4
Once the onion has softened, add the minced garlic, chopped anchovies, and halved grape tomatoes. Stir and cook until the tomatoes begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
5
Incorporate the drained garbanzo beans, capers, smoked Spanish paprika, dried parsley, dried oregano, lemon pepper, and salt into the skillet. Stir to combine all ingredients well.
6
Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 10-15 minutes until the tomatoes are soft, the liquid has thickened slightly, and the flavors have melded together.
7
Taste the mixture and season with additional salt if needed.
8
If using sausage, you can add sliced pieces before covering the skillet, or grill sausages separately and serve them on top.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spanish Chickpea and Tomato Medley?
It is a vibrant Spanish-inspired dish that combines tender chickpeas and grape tomatoes with smoked paprika and anchovies for a rich, umami-filled flavor profile.
What are the primary ingredients for this recipe?
The main ingredients include garbanzo beans, grape tomatoes, onion, olive oil, garlic, anchovy fillets, capers, and smoked Spanish paprika.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make this recipe vegetarian, simply omit the anchovy fillets or anchovy paste.
What kind of tomatoes should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of grape tomatoes, halved.
How long does it take to cook the onions?
The chopped onion should be sautéed in olive oil for about 5-7 minutes until soft and starting to take on color.
What flavor does smoked Spanish paprika add?
Smoked Spanish paprika introduces a hint of warmth and depth to the dish.
Can I substitute anchovy fillets?
Yes, you can substitute the 4 anchovy fillets with 1 tablespoon of anchovy paste.
What is the purpose of adding anchovies?
Anchovies are added to enhance the dish's overall umami profile, providing a subtle yet impactful depth of flavor.
What spices and herbs are used?
The dish is seasoned with smoked Spanish paprika, dried parsley, dried oregano, lemon pepper, and salt.
How long should the mixture simmer?
After adding all ingredients, cover the skillet and cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes.
Can I add meat to this dish?
Yes, you can add sliced sausage to the skillet before covering it, or serve grilled sausages on top.
What size of garbanzo beans is required?
The recipe requires one 16-ounce can of garbanzo beans, which should be drained.
How much garlic is needed?
You will need 4 garlic cloves, minced.
What should the consistency of the final dish be?
The tomatoes should be soft and the liquid should be slightly thickened after simmering.
Is this dish suitable for tapas?
Yes, it is perfect for sharing in small portions at a tapas gathering.
What can I serve this with as a main?
It serves as a delightful base for grilled fish or can be paired with sausages.
Do I need to peel the tomatoes?
No, the grape tomatoes are simply halved and cooked until they soften.
What type of oil is used for sautéing?
The recipe specifies using 4 teaspoons of olive oil.
How much parsley and oregano should I add?
Use 1 tablespoon of dried parsley and 1 teaspoon of dried oregano.
What is the role of capers in this recipe?
Capers add a salty, briny flavor that complements the tomatoes and chickpeas.
When do I add the garlic and anchovies?
Add the minced garlic and chopped anchovies once the onion has softened, along with the halved tomatoes.
Is there a specific way to prepare the onion?
The onion should be medium-sized and chopped before sautéing.
What kind of pepper is used?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of lemon pepper for a citrusy spice note.
Can I adjust the salt level?
Yes, the recipe suggests adding salt to taste and seasoning further after the simmering process if needed.
Is this a seasonal dish?
While it showcases seasonal tomatoes, it is described as a comforting masterpiece suitable for any time of year.
How do I prepare the garbanzo beans?
The garbanzo beans should be drained from their can before being incorporated into the skillet.
Can I cook the sausage separately?
Yes, you can grill sausages separately and serve them on top of the medley.
What heat setting is used for the final simmering?
The heat should be reduced to low for the final 10-15 minutes of cooking.
Does the recipe use fresh or dried herbs?
The recipe specifically calls for dried parsley and dried oregano.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 13 ingredients listed, including the optional sausage.