FullofFlavour.Versatile.Earthy

We have a family favourite chickpea dish that connects us to our roots in Catalonia Spain: Cigrons. Unfortunately, our recipe has two complications: we prepare dried chickpeas by soaking overnight and then cook them in a pressure cooker and the recipe is difficult to commit in the written form.  The quantities of olive oil, vinegar, bacon, garlic and salt and pepper all rely on taste and feel and sight and smell. Those who have shared house with me always reminisce about Cigrons and it is one of those meals that is prepared for when all the family is home.

You can however make chickpeas your way or try one of the recipes below.  Canned chickpeas doesn’t have to only be used for Hummus.

Be adventurous.

Sherry-Glazed Chorizo and Chickpeas

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil

125 g dried chorizo, sliced

1/3 cup dry sherry* for extra depth of flavour use a Sherry Vinegar

400 g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

Chopped flat leaf parsley to serve

Method

Heat oil in fry pan over medium to high heat.

Add chorizo and cook, turning for 3 – 4 minutes or until crisp.

Add ¼ cup sherry, then cook, stirring occasionally for 3 minutes or until chorizo is glazed and the liquid has evaporated.

Add chickpeas and remaining 1 tablespoon sherry then cook stirring occasionally, for a further 5 minutes or until chickpeas are warmed through.

Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Smoky Chicken, Chorizo and Chickpeas

Ingredients

600 g chicken thighs, chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon cumin

250 g chorizo, sliced

400 g can chick peas, rinsed and drained

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 tomato chopped

1 long red chilli, sliced

¼ cup chopped parsley

Method

In a bowl, combine chicken, 1 tablespoon oil, garlic, paprika and cumin.  Toss to coat.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a frying pan over high heat.  Cook chicken for 2 -3 minutes each side or until golden.  Remove from pan.

Cook chorizo and chickpeas in same pan, stirring for 2 – 3 minutes or until golden.

Return chicken to pan with any juices.

Drizzle over balsamic and simmer, covered, for 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked and heated.

Stir through tomato, chilli and parsley

Louise’s Chickpeas in Spanish Sauce

Ingredients

2 cans drained chick peas

1 green capsicum

1 red capsicum

1 onion

1 clove garlic

1 red chilli

1 tablespoon parsley

2 cans tomatoes

Method

Chop the capsicums, chilli, onion and garlic.

Lightly fry in olive oil for a few minutes.

Add the parsley, tomatoes and chick peas.  Season.

Cool on a low heat for about half an hour, stirring occasionally.

 

Chickpea and Chorizo Hotpot

Ingredients

4 chorizo, sausages, thickly sliced

100 g jamon Serrano, diced

100 g salami, diced

100 g pancetta, diced

5 pink eschallots, quartered

5 garlic cloves, sliced

1 bunch of thyme, leaves only

2 x 400 g chickpeas, drained

500 ml chicken stock

1 bunch parsley, chopped

Method

Heat a large saucepan. Add all the meats.  Cook stirring occasionally, over a medium heat for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned and fat in the meat has started to break down.

Add eschallots, cook stirring occasionally until soft (5 minutes).  Add garlic and thyme.  Cook for a further 2 minutes.

Stir in chickpeas.  Cook stirring occasionally for 5 minutes so chickpeas can absorb the flavours of meats and herbs.

Stir in stock.  Bring to boil.  Simmer for about 20 minutes until slightly thickened.

Garnish with parsley.