Description
A vibrant and healthy dish combining tender spinach with hearty chickpeas, sweet raisins, and crunchy toasted pine nuts, all seasoned with fragrant spices and olive oil for a flavorful vegetarian meal or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Legumes
- 1 large long shallot, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 400g can chickpeas, drained
- 200g spinach
Spices & Nuts
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts
- 4 tbsp golden or flame raisins
Oils & Others
- 2 tbsp olive oil, plus a drizzle for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the sliced shallot and crushed garlic cloves, cooking them until they are soft and translucent to build the flavor base.
- Add spices and chickpeas: Stir in the ground cumin and smoked paprika, then add the drained chickpeas and raisins. Cook this mixture for approximately 2 minutes, allowing the spices to toast slightly and the raisins to plump.
- Cook the spinach: Tip in the fresh spinach leaves and cook just until they are wilted but still vibrant green, maintaining their texture and nutrients.
- Finish with pine nuts and serve: Stir in the toasted pine nuts for added crunch and nutty flavor. Drizzle a little extra olive oil over the dish before serving to enhance the richness and presentation.
Notes
- If you don’t have pine nuts, substitute with blanched toasted almonds or Spanish smoked almonds for a similar texture and flavor.
- This dish can be served warm as a side or a light main, perfect with crusty bread or over rice.
- To increase protein content, consider adding quinoa or a dollop of Greek yogurt when serving.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: spinach, chickpeas, pine nuts, raisins, vegetarian, Mediterranean, healthy side dish
