CHICKPEA and VEGETABLE CASSEROLE Recipe | Healthy Vegan and Vegetarian Meal Ideas | Chickpea Recipes

chickpeas

🥗Healthier: lentils

💰Cheaper: canned beans

Lentils are lower in calories and higher in protein, while canned beans are often more affordable.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil has a higher smoke point, while vegetable oil is usually less expensive.

Start by prepping the vegetables. Thoroughly wash the vegetables. Peel and slice the potatoes into thin slices, 1/8th inch thick. Remove the tips of the zucchini and slice it into 1/4th inch thick slices. Same with the tomatoes and onion, cut it into thin slices.

Transfer only the slices of potato and zucchini into a mixing bowl and set aside. Do not mix the tomato and onion slices with the zucchini and potatoes; keep them separately.

Drain 1 can of cooked chickpeas or 2 cups of home-cooked chickpeas and add to a 9 x 13 inches baking dish. Add the passata/tomato puree, maple syrup, ground cumin, salt, and cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly until spices are well combined.

Back to the mixing bowl with the zucchini and potato slices - add finely chopped garlic, dry oregano, thyme, ground black pepper, salt, and olive oil and mix well until nicely coated with the herbs and oil.

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Arrange the potato, zucchini, tomato, and onion slices on top of the chickpea tomato layer. Pour any liquid from the zucchini over the layered vegetables. Fit in any extra slices of tomato/onion between the layers. Cover the baking tray with aluminum foil or a lid.

Bake for 40 minutes covered at 400°F. After 40 minutes, remove the baking dish from the oven and remove the aluminum foil covering. Bake uncovered for another 15 to 20 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked.

Switch the setting of your oven to broil. Broil for 2 to 4 minutes or until the vegetables are golden brown on top.

Remove from oven and let it sit on a wire rack. Brush the top of the vegetables with olive oil. Garnish with chopped parsley, fresh basil, and black pepper. Serve hot.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary