A working test-kitchen ledger of ten thousand recipes.
Middle Eastern · Side

Za'atar Chickpea Side

This Middle Eastern Side leans on za'atar to do the heavy lifting. We bake the Chickpea for real depth, then bring it together in one pan.

4.3 from 312 cooks
Prep12 min
Cook50 min
Serves8
LevelMedium
Free to cook
Za'atar Chickpea Side
Method

How to cook it

Prep everything first: chop the aromatics, measure the za'atar elements, and pat the chickpea dry so it colours well.

Warm the olive oil in a large pan over a medium heat and soften the onion and garlic until sweet and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add the chickpeas and bake until it takes on colour and the edges catch, 4 to 6 minutes.

Stir in the pomegranate molasses and the rest of the za'atar flavours, letting them cook out for a minute until fragrant.

Add the fennel along with a splash of stock or water, then cover and cook gently until everything is tender and the sauce clings.

Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper and a little acid. It should taste bright, savoury and balanced.

Finish with the chopped coriander and serve while hot.

Tested in the Stewart & Musell kitchen. Timings assume a standard home oven and hob.

More from Middle Eastern

You might also cook

Cumin and coriander Cod Plate Middle Eastern
Middle Eastern

Cumin and coriander Cod Plate

Weeknight-friendly Cod Plate with the cumin and coriander we come back to again and again. Big...

37 min · Medium
Pomegranate and mint Salmon Stew Middle Eastern Members
Middle Eastern

Pomegranate and mint Salmon Stew

A herb-heavy take on Salmon Stew, built on pomegranate and mint and finished the way we like...

1 hr 40 min · Advanced
Crispy Cod with sumac and onion Middle Eastern Members
Middle Eastern

Crispy Cod with sumac and onion

Our tested Crispy Cod Side: herb-heavy, generous, and balanced with sumac and onion. Serves 6...

38 min · Medium