Lemony Chickpea Puree Food

FRIED CHICKPEAS WITH PARMESAN, LEMON AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Spread the chickpeas out on a baking sheet and transfer them to the oven to dry out. After 45 minutes, pull the chickpeas from the oven and set aside.
• Fill a Dutch oven with 3 inches of vegetable oil and heat to 375 degrees F.
• Combine the Parmesan, smoked paprika and lemon zest in a large bowl.
• Using a spider, lower the chickpeas into the oil and fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Then add the almonds, parsley and garlic to the fryer. Fry it all for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Be careful, the parsley will spatter a bit when it hits the oil.
• With your spider, pull everything out of the oil and immediately toss in the bowl with the Parmesan mixture. Season with salt and serve.

CHICKPEA PURéE

Steps:

• Stir cumin in dry skillet over medium heat until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Transfer to mortar or spice mill; grind.
• Heat 1/4 cup oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cumin; stir 1 minute. Add chickpeas, 1 teaspoon coarse salt, paprika, and cayenne; sauté until chickpeas begin to darken, about 5 minutes. Pour chickpea liquid into 2-cup measuring cup; add enough water (if necessary) to measure 2 cups. Add liquid to chickpea mixture; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until chickpeas begin to soften, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Pour chickpea mixture into strainer set over bowl; reserve cooking liquid. Transfer chickpeas to processor; add 3/4 cup of reserved cooking liquid. Add 1/2 cup oil; puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Cool. Do ahead Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to room temperature before using.

LEMONY CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Cook rice according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir 3-4 minutes or until tender., Stir in chickpeas, tomatoes, broth, pepper flakes and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 10 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Uncover; simmer 4-5 minutes or until liquid is slightly reduced, stirring occasionally. Stir in lemon zest and lemon juice. Serve with rice. , Freeze option: Do not prepare rice until later. Freeze cooled chickpea mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little broth if necessary. Serve with rice.