Chickpea Bake with Feta

Instructions

1. Prepare the Ingredients

   5 min hands-on

   • Thinly slice the leeks into half-moons.
   • Peel and finely slice the garlic.
   • Separate and roughly chop the parsley and dill stalks and leaves.
   • Roughly chop the spinach leaves.

2. Cook the Aromatics

   1 min hands-on9 min waiting

   • Heat olive oil in a large, flameproof, lidded casserole dish over medium heat.
   • Add leeks and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook covered for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant.

3. Add the Spices

   2 min hands-on

   • Stir in cumin seeds and dried oregano.
   • Cook for 1–2 minutes to release their aroma.
   • Add chopped herb stalks and stir to combine.

4. Wilt the Greens

   5 min hands-on

   • Gradually add chopped spinach in batches, stirring well after each addition until wilted, about 4–5 minutes total.

5. Incorporate the Chickpeas and Herbs

   2 min hands-on

   • Stir in chickpeas until evenly coated.
   • Fold in half of the chopped parsley and dill leaves, reserving the rest for garnish.

6. Top with Feta and Grill

   1 min hands-on4 min waiting

   • Crumble feta cheese over the chickpea and vegetable mixture in an even layer.
   • Transfer the dish to a preheated grill set to high and grill for 3–5 minutes, or until the feta is slightly melted and golden brown.

7. Finish with Lemon and Herbs

   2 min hands-on

   • Remove the casserole from the grill.
   • Squeeze lemon juice evenly over the baked dish.
   • Garnish with reserved parsley and dill leaves.

8. Serve

   2 min hands-on

   • Drizzle with chili-infused olive oil if desired.
   • Serve warm with crusty bread or as a standalone dish.
   • Cooking tips:
   • To ensure the leeks are tender without browning, keep the heat at medium and stir occasionally as they cook.
   • If using dried chickpeas, soak them overnight and cook until tender before adding them to the dish. Alternatively, canned chickpeas can be used for convenience; just drain and rinse them well.
   • For a more robust lemon flavor, zest one of the lemons before juicing and sprinkle the zest over the dish before serving.
   • If you don’t have a grill, bake the dish in an oven at 200°C (392°F) for 8–10 minutes to melt and brown the feta.