Delicious Chickpea and Vegetable Bake 🌿

Discover the perfect balance of flavors and textures with this Delicious Chickpea and Vegetable Bake. This hearty and wholesome dish features tender chickpeas, a medley of colorful vegetables, and a savory tomato-based sauce, all baked to perfection. With its rich blend of spices and simple preparation, this bake is a satisfying choice for a comforting dinner or a nutritious meal prep option.

Ingredients

• 200 grams chopped onion
• Vegetable oil, for sautéing
• 200 grams chopped bell peppers
• 5 cloves garlic, grated (20 grams)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste (40 grams)
• 1 cup tomato puree (240 milliliters)
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1 teaspoon vegetable bouillon
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt, to taste
• 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 3 potatoes (600 grams), sliced into thin rounds
• 2 zucchinis (400 grams), cut into thin circles
• 3 tomatoes (350 grams), sliced into thin rounds
• Olive oil, for drizzling
• 2 small red onions (180 grams), cut into thin circles
• Water, as needed

Instructions

1. Prepare the Vegetables:
   • Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
   • Heat a generous amount of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
   • Incorporate the diced onion and sauté until it becomes tender and translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
   • Add the chopped bell peppers and grated garlic to the skillet. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, until aromatic.
2. Create the Sauce:
   • Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, allowing it to darken slightly.
   • Add the tomato puree, cumin, paprika, red chili flakes, vegetable bouillon, black pepper, and salt to the skillet.
   • Mix thoroughly and let it simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
3. Combine with Chickpeas:
   • Add the drained chickpeas to the sauce and mix well. Remove from heat and set aside.
4. Assemble the Bake:
   • Lightly grease a large baking dish with olive oil.
   • Layer the potato circles evenly in the bottom of the dish. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and season with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
   • Spread half of the zucchini circles over the potatoes, followed by half of the tomato circles. Drizzle with olive oil and season with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
   • Pour the chickpea and sauce mixture over the vegetables, spreading it out evenly.
   • Arrange the remaining zucchini, tomato circles, and red onion slices on top.
   • Lightly coat with olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
5. Bake:
   • Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
   • Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the top is golden and slightly crispy.
6. Serve:
   • Allow the bake to cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Conclusion

This Delicious Chickpea and Vegetable Bake is a vibrant and nutritious dish that’s easy to prepare and full of flavor. With its layers of tender vegetables, hearty chickpeas, and rich tomato sauce, it’s perfect for a cozy family meal or for meal prepping. Enjoy the wholesome goodness and comforting taste of this delightful bake! 🌿🍲