Harissa Chickpeas With Whipped Feta To Warm Up The Week

Hello friends!

Hope you’re all doing well as we approach the end of the first month of 2023. I hope you had a great start to this year, however you decided to kick it off.

With picking recipes to review, I just wanted to continue picking recipes that intrigued me and that I thought you might all consider trying. Now whether the dish is actually tasty and worth making remains the fun part of the process–the final rating and recommendation.

That’s how we got to this week’s review of Harissa Chickpeas with Whipped Feta. I saw this pop up as a recommended recipe for me while browsing Pinterest. So let’s get started, shall we?

This recipe is by Pinch of Yum and you can find the recipe right -> here!

Store-Bought Harissa Paste or Homemade

One of the main reasons I wanted to try this recipe was due to its use of harissa paste. I’ve made dishes with it before and it’s such a delightful level of spice, especially when combined with other flavors. There’s no doubt that working with this paste brings out a fabulous red color!

Now whether you make your own or go with store-bought is 100% up to you. I ended up having to make my own because none of my frequented grocery stores had it handy! I recommend this recipe by Minimalist Baker if you’re also having some trouble finding it in stores, of if you just want to make more of it for bit less money.

I had to adjust the chiles that were used slightly, so my paste ended up being a bit more spicy than anticipated. Did it mess up the recipe that is being reviewed? Not in the slightest.

Whether you decide to go with store-bought or homemade, the important part of this is, like all things you make, is to taste along the way.

Anything that is listed as recommended or optional, make that decision for yourself. Especially when it comes to spice. Everyone has a different tolerance. Best way to do that is–you got it–taste along the way.

Whipped Feta To Our Spicy Harissa Chickpeas

Regardless of how much harissa paste you end up adding, it will still have a level of spice. Whether it is not enough or too much for you will, again, depend on your tolerance. Worry not, because that is where the whipped feta comes into play.

This is such a delicious and smart decision. It’s salty, garlicky, and whipped to perfection. I’d almost see it used similarly like sour cream with chili. It’s dulls the level of spice in the harissa chickpeas without muting it or overpowering it. The flavor itself with the whipped feta complements the chickpeas phenomenally. Whoever decided to start whipping up feta in all these recipes I’ve been seeing–props to you. This is delicious.

But Grey–Just Chickpeas In A Harissa Sauce? Really?

I find myself trying to include more veggie-only dishes not just for the blog, but also because I just want to have a better variety of deliciousness for my weekly menus. Just because there’s no meat protein doesn’t mean you’re not getting protein, okay? This dish is seriously so filling and so full of flavor, your meat-eaters will not complain! I did actually ask my husband his thoughts on this recipe, as I do each week.

His comments included: “Yeah, this was pretty good. Good level of spice” and my favorite when asked what he’d change: “Maybe add a protein?”

To which I responded: “Chickpeas are LOADED with protein!” 😉

Putting It All Together–Does It Makes Sense Or Is It Too Much?

I’d say there are three components to this recipe: the harissa chickpeas, whipped feta, and…you gotta have some crunch! Dicing up some cucumber to go with the dish is an awesome idea. Such a refreshing addition to break up all that creamy consistency from the feta and even the chickpeas.

Now, you can serve this with naan bread (if you’re not gluten-free), but I did make mine with rice. This bowl had a nice variety of textures and flavors that everything really balanced out in the end.

Remember how I said my harissa paste ended up much spicier than anticipated? It still worked out when mixed in with rice, the feta, and the cucumber.

So yes–this does work. The flavors play well together and I would absolutely see myself making this again.

Grey’s Grade: 5/5

All veggie, all flavor–this is a recipe you absolutely should be trying soon. It’s spicy, salty, creamy, and so fresh (ya know, from that cucumber crunch!). If your household is a fan of spice and looking to add more veggie-only dishes to their diet, this may just be your winner! It certainly was for me. Plus, if it wasn’t for having to make my own harissa paste, this recipe would have taken under 30 minutes to make. Good idea for a weeknight meal–just saying!

My main recommendation will come with the level of spice. If the recipe calls for 2 Tbs of harissa paste, then taste the paste first and see if maybe you’d want to reduce the amount that is included in the recipe. No shame in doing that.

I’d prefer we all eat meals that bring us joy rather than pain in your tummies.

Overall, I sure do look forward to bringing more veggie forward dishes your way on this blog as we move into the next month of the year!

What are some of your favorite veggie dishes? Let me know in the comments below!

Check Out My Reviews!

• Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Pork Stew
• Cauliflower Gratin Perfect For A Healthier Side Dish!
• Vegan Thai Peanut Curry

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