Roasted Chickpea and Broccoli Bowls

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As I’m sure a handful of people close to me would tell you, this is basically my go-to meal. On the semi-rare occasion that I’m cooking only for myself, this recipe is such a staple!

Not only is it really tasty, it leaves my body feeling good afterwards.

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This Roasted Chickpea and Broccoli Bowl is:

crunchy

savory

tangy

healthy

and delicious!

The variety of flavors and textures come together so nicely in this easy to make, quick to clean up meal. I make my own little hummus dressing for it, but you can use whatever!

Place the chickpeas and broccoli on your parchment-lined baking sheet, then season and toss. You could use a silicone baking mat in place of parchment paper, of course!

Make sure all of the chickpeas and pieces of broccoli are spread out some and touching the parchment paper. This will help them roast evenly and get crunchy.

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While the chickpeas and broccoli are in the oven, whip up this simple hummus dressing. It consists of: hummus (duh), lemon juice, water, black pepper, dijon mustard, and garlic powder. Bet you have all those things at home!

If not, you can use a dressing you already have or just skip it altogether. The chickpeas are already very flavorful, and I’d recommend squeezing some lemon juice on the broccoli when it’s done. Or sprinkle it with some lemon pepper seasoning before baking.

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When you’ve finished baking them, add the chickpeas and broccoli to a big bowl and throw in any other good stuff you have laying around. Then drizzle it with the hummus dressing and enjoy!

Sometimes I’ll add a few handfuls of baby spinach, hemp hearts, chia seeds, flax seeds, kalamata olives, or some cherry tomatoes like I did this day. I’ll make some roasted potatoes to throw in as well if I’m extra hungry or am serving it to more than just myself.

Bowls like this are a good way to get some additional nutrients, eat your colors, and use up whatever odds and ends you have sitting around in your kitchen.

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Ingredients:

  • 1 can of chickpeas (15oz), drained and rinsed
  • A few handfuls of frozen broccoli florets
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • a dash of cayenne pepper
  • salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

For the hummus dressing:

  • 1 tbsp hummus
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1/4 tsp dijon or stone ground mustard
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • a crack of fresh ground pepper
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Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 400F. Place chickpeas and frozen broccoli on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  2. Add garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt to the chickpeas. Sprinkle the broccoli with salt. Toss everything to coat with spices. No need for oil!
  3. Bake for 25 minutes, making sure to toss halfway through the cook time.
  4. Eat a chickpea and examine your broccoli. Are they roasted and crunchy enough for your liking? If not, add them back to the oven for another 5 minutes.
  5. Assemble a nice little bowl with the chickpeas, broccoli, and whatever yummy odds and ends you’d like. I threw in some cherry tomatoes.
  6. Crack some pepper and drizzle the hummus dressing over top. Then enjoy!

Notes:

  • Sometimes I’ll add a few handfuls of baby spinach, hemp hearts, chia seeds, flax seeds, kalamata olives, or some cherry tomatoes like I did this day. I’ll make some roasted potatoes to throw in as well if I’m extra hungry or am serving it to more than just myself!

The Yummiest Black Bean Soup

Y’all… I love black bean soup. It’s so perfectly

creamy,

spicy,

and hearty.

My mother would make it fairly often growing up and I always loved ordering it out at restaurants, so it’s a dish that has been with me for a while! I’ve tried out so many different recipes over the years and I’ve finally found my own way of making it that I like best.

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Come to mama. See how pretty those red onions on top are?

Ready for the pot! Yes, that is my compost scrap bowl. Yes, I thought it was pretty.

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So colorful! Time to add in the beans, broth, and cumin. Then let that baby simmer!

This soup is so flavorful and filling, and I love having it whether it’s hot or cold out. Serving it over some rice (perhaps some cilantro lime) is also a good way to bulk this meal up and add some lovely texture.

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The soup after using my immersion blender.
I suppose I’m in my blue period or something.

And voila! Topping this soup with some fresh red onion is probably my favorite thing to do. I love the contrast in flavor of the raw onions and the cooked ones, and they add a really nice crunchy texture! You could also top with some fresh cilantro, which I would’ve done if I wasn’t out.

It stores well, too, and becomes even more flavorful overnight in the fridge! So this is the perfect recipe to make a lot of and eat throughout the week. Anyways, here’s the recipe:

Creamy, tangy goodness!
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Prep Time: 15 minutes – Cook Time: 40 minutes – Serves about 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 carrot, finely diced
  • 1 stalk of celery, finely diced
  • Half of 1 large red onion, diced (reserve a bit for topping later)
  • 1 bell pepper (any color would be good, but I like using red)
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (any neutral flavored oil, like avocado would be fine)
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 2 cans (15oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • The juice of 1 lime (about a tablespoon of red wine vinegar can be used in place of it)
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Instructions:

  1. Heat oil over medium heat in a heavy pot. Add onion, carrot, celery, and a pinch of salt. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Add the bell pepper, cook for another 5 minutes.
  3. Add in the jalapeño and garlic, and sauté for about a minute, until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the black beans, vegetable broth, and cumin. Stir and bring to a boil.
  5. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 25 minutes.
  6. Add in the lime juice and salt.
  7. Use an immersion blender, a hand masher, or transfer about 2 cups of the soup to a blender, then re-add to soup. You want it blended just enough to get that creamy texture, while still having some visible pieces of beans and veggies floating about.
  8. Taste and adjust salt and pepper to your preferences. Serve on its own or over some rice, and top with reserved diced red onion. Some cilantro would also be great!
  9. Enjoy!

Notes:

If you like things a little spicier, add in 1/4 tsp (or more) of red pepper flakes when you add in the lime juice. (I do this!)

A cup of corn would also make a yummy, colorful addition to this soup!