This delightful dish combines the earthy flavors of chickpeas with the vibrant freshness of spinach, all brought together by the aromatic presence of garlic. It's a quick and nutritious meal that can be enjoyed on its own or as a side dish.
If you don't usually stock chickpeas or fresh spinach in your pantry, you might need to make a trip to the supermarket. Chickpeas are often found in the canned goods aisle, while fresh spinach is typically located in the produce section. Make sure to get a good quality olive oil as it enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Ingredients for Garlic Spinach Chickpeas Recipe
Olive oil: This is used as the cooking base and adds a rich, smooth flavor to the dish.
Garlic: Minced garlic provides a pungent and aromatic flavor that complements the spinach and chickpeas.
Chickpeas: These legumes add a hearty texture and are a great source of protein and fiber.
Spinach: Fresh spinach brings a vibrant color and a slightly sweet taste to the recipe.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the flavor profile.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When sautéing the garlic, be careful not to let it brown too much as it can turn bitter. Aim for a light golden color to maintain its sweet and aromatic flavor.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar smoke point and a neutral flavor that works well in most recipes.
olive oil - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can provide a slightly different flavor but works well for sautéing.
minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Use ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder for each clove of garlic to maintain the garlic flavor.
minced garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots can provide a mild garlic and onion flavor, use about 1 tablespoon of minced shallots per clove of garlic.
chickpeas - Substitute with cannellini beans: Cannellini beans have a similar texture and mild flavor, making them a good substitute.
chickpeas - Substitute with butter beans: Butter beans are creamy and can provide a similar texture to chickpeas.
fresh spinach - Substitute with kale: Kale can be used as it has a similar texture and nutritional profile, though it may need a bit more cooking time.
fresh spinach - Substitute with Swiss chard: Swiss chard has a similar leafy texture and can be used in the same quantity.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, use sparingly to avoid overpowering the dish.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in the same quantity and provides a slightly different mineral flavor.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat but a slightly different flavor profile, making it a good substitute.
black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper can add heat, but use less to avoid making the dish too spicy.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store / Freeze This Dish
Allow the Garlic Spinach Chickpeas to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
Transfer the cooled dish into an airtight container. Glass containers are preferable as they do not absorb odors and are easy to clean.
Store the container in the refrigerator. The Garlic Spinach Chickpeas will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
For freezing, place the cooled Garlic Spinach Chickpeas in a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
Label the container or bag with the date. This helps you keep track of how long the dish has been stored.
When ready to eat, thaw the Garlic Spinach Chickpeas in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing process helps maintain the texture and flavor.
Reheat the dish in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. You can also use a microwave, but be sure to cover the dish to retain moisture.
If the spinach appears too wilted after reheating, consider adding a handful of fresh spinach to revive the dish.
Adjust the seasoning with a pinch of salt and black pepper if needed, as freezing can sometimes dull the flavors.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat.
- Add a splash of olive oil to the pan.
- Once the oil is hot, add the leftover Garlic Spinach Chickpeas.
- Stir occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
- If the mixture seems dry, add a tablespoon of water or vegetable broth to keep it moist.
Microwave Method:
- Place the Garlic Spinach Chickpeas in a microwave-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel.
- Heat on high for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir the mixture and check the temperature.
- Continue heating in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the Garlic Spinach Chickpeas in an oven-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
- Bake for about 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Check to ensure the dish is heated evenly before serving.
Steaming Method:
- Set up a steamer basket over a pot of simmering water.
- Place the Garlic Spinach Chickpeas in the steamer basket.
- Cover and steam for about 5-7 minutes.
- Check to ensure the dish is heated through and serve immediately.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the Garlic Spinach Chickpeas in the air fryer basket.
- Heat for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Check to ensure the dish is heated evenly before serving.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Skillet: A flat-bottomed pan used for cooking the garlic, chickpeas, and spinach over medium heat.
Spatula: A tool used for stirring and mixing the ingredients in the skillet.
Garlic press: A device to mince the garlic cloves efficiently.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the olive oil, salt, and black pepper accurately.
Can opener: Essential for opening the can of chickpeas.
Colander: Used to drain and rinse the chickpeas before adding them to the skillet.
Cutting board: A surface for mincing the garlic cloves.
Chef's knife: A sharp knife used for mincing the garlic.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the fresh spinach accurately.
Serving spoon: Used to serve the finished dish warm.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Prep ingredients in advance: Mince the garlic and rinse the chickpeas ahead of time to streamline the cooking process.
Use pre-washed spinach: Opt for pre-washed spinach to save time on cleaning and drying.
One-pan method: Cook everything in one skillet to reduce cleanup time.
Batch cooking: Double the recipe and store leftovers for quick meals later in the week.
Quick seasoning: Keep salt and black pepper in easy-to-use shakers for fast seasoning.
Garlic Spinach Chickpeas Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 4 cups spinach fresh
- 1 teaspoon salt to taste
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add chickpeas and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 3-4 minutes.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve warm.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
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