Info all Articles

My lovely Aunt and Uncle bought me the most amazing goodie bag of foodie treats for my Birthday last month. Out of everything they got me I was most intrigued by the little jar of Belazu Rose Harissa:

This is lovely stuff, it has a delicious warm spiciness that goes very well with North African, Middle Eastern or Mediterranean type flavours. I’ve had some stirred into plain hummus which was gorgeous. However it was one Friday night when I was craving something spicy yet quick and easy to make that I came up with this recipe. I’ve had it several times since and I love it more and more each time I eat it. It uses three of my favourite things to eat: chickpeas, courgettes and tahini, and is ready in minutes. Enjoy!

Harissa Spiced Chickpeas and Courgettes with Lemon Tahini Sauce (serves 2, vegan, gluten free)

• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 3-4 small courgettes chopped into half moons
• 1 tin or 1 cup of chickpeas
• 1 tbsp of harissa paste (or to taste – I like it spicy so would add a bit more)
• 2 tbsp of tahini
• juice from a lemon

In a frying pan or wok heat a little oil over a medium heat and fry the garlic until softened. Add the courgettes and turn up the heat slightly, sautéing until tender and slightly browned. Add the chickpeas and harissa paste stirring well until the beans and courgettes are well covered in the golden paste. To make the tahini sauce mix the lemon juice with the tahini and a little bit of water to thin. Serve the chickpeas and courgettes with your choice of rice, couscous or steamed greens then drizzle with the sauce:

I’ve just been eating mine with steamed greens and adding double the amount of tahini. So tasty!

The tangy tahini cuts through the spiciness of the harissa really well. Considering this meal only takes a few minutes to prepare it tastes like it should have been a lot more hard work!

Very similar to other recipes I’ve posted recently, this feels like a perfect meal for the current season. The spiciness is warm and comforting but the chickpeas, courgettes and tahini give the meal a late summer freshness.

Have you ever tried harissa paste? How did you eat it? What is your favourite Friday night quick and easy meal?