Mediterranean Chickpea Bowls with Tahini Sauce

While I love all the various flavors and spices found in Mediterranean food, one of the things I find that like most about this cuisine is the way textures, colors, and even temperatures are often combined a single dish.

I’ve made these vegan and gluten-free bowls in this same spirit. They showcase some of my favorite Mediterranean ingredients all in one bowl, like spiced chickpeas, cucumbers, tomatoes, and tahini, as well as an awesome mix of hot and cold, crisp and creamy!

One of my favorite parts of this dish is really the bright and creamy tahini sauce. We make this sauce on a regular basis at my house. It’s great drizzled on fresh greens, roasted veggies, or baked sweet potatoes, too!

Once you get the hang of the dressing, you might find yourself craving it often. If so, try mixing it up with different spices. (I particularly love it with turmeric, which makes the dressing extra-tasty and turns it a beautiful shade of gold!)

If you’re into batch cooking or need some easy make-ahead meals for later in the week, I highly recommend prepping the ingredients for these bowls at the beginning of the week. You can bask in the glory of beautiful and vibrant packed lunches at the office all week long!

Mediterranean Chickpea Bowls with Tahini Sauce Recipe

All components to this recipe can be made ahead and kept refrigerated until serving.
Double the recipe as needed to make more servings.
If you don't already have brown rice prepared, start a pot before you begin prepping this recipe so that it's ready when you're finished.

Ingredients

For the tahini dressing:

• 1/4 cup tahini (at room temperature)


• 1/4 cup warm water


• Juice 1/2 to 1 lemon (1 to 2 tablespoons)


• 1 teaspoon honey, agave, or maple syrup


• 1 clove garlic, finely minced


• 1/4 cup finely minced parsley


• 1/4 teaspoon salt


• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

For the chickpeas:

• 1 16-ounce can chickpeas (or 2 cups homemade chickpeas)


• 1/2 tablespoon paprika (either sweet or hot)


• 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin


• 1 teaspoon ground coriander


• 1/4 teaspoon salt


• 1/4 teaspoon pepper


• 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided


• 1 clove garlic, minced


• 1 teaspoon finely minced fresh chili (optional)


• 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh herbs (I like the combination of parsley, mint, and cilantro)

For the bowls:

• 6 cups baby spinach


• 2 cups cooked brown rice


• 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved


• 1 English cucumber, diced


• 1/4 red onion, finely diced (about 2 tablespoons)


• Fresh mint leaves

Read More: Mediterranean Chickpea Bowls with Tahini Sauce

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