Chickpea Spread

Ingredients for Chickpea Spread

• 1/2 Spanish or sweet onion, thickly sliced

• Extra-virgin olive oil

• Kosher salt and cracked black pepper

• 40 large, plump sun-dried tomatoes (about 230g )

• 6 cloves garlic, smashed

• 2 large shallots, thickly sliced

• 8 leaves basil

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 240ml extra-virgin olive oil

• 3 tablepoons fresh lemon juice

• 725ml Chickpea Confit , drained

How to make Chickpea Spread

Brush the onion slices with a little olive oil and season with kosher salt and pepper. On a hot griddle pan or in a cast-iron skillet, grill until tender and slightly char-marked.

In a food processor, combine the grilled onion, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, shallots, basil, and cumin. Pulse into a chunky purée. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil, then the lemon juice. The mixture should be quite smooth.

Transfer to a large bowl and add the Chickpea Confit. Fold together to blend. Return to the food processor in batches, and purée until the mixture is smooth and thick. Season to taste with pepper and salt (if the sun-dried tomatoes are very salty, you may not need much). The texture is a matter of taste; if it is very thick, add a little more olive oil to yield a creamier result. Well covered, the spread will last for at least a week in the refrigerator.

For two different textures, puree half the spread until very smooth and pale, and leave the other half chunky.

If you refrigerate the spread overnight, you can return it to a nice creamy texture by rewhipping in the food processor (pulse on and off for 1 minute).

The Wedge: Cut a small triangle of pita and smear with Chickpea Spread. Top with a pinch of crumbled feta and some sliced spring onions, picked sprigs of parsley or dill, and a few slivers of olive.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.