A Food Two-fer

[hrj]

I have succumbed to temptation and purchased a propane grill with rotisserie to reside on my deck. Now I must pledge to grill regularly to justify it. But I can play with all sorts of medieval spit-roasting recipes, so it's all good.

Review: New Produce of the Week -- Fresh Chickpeas

Rather than looking for existing recipes, I was inspired by the other produce items I picked up from the bargain bin on Sunday, specifically, the large bag of baby zucchini and the bag of red pearl onions. Since I'd prepped and parboiled all of them on Sunday to forestall spoilage, the goal was to warm them up without overcooking them.

Take about half a pound each of:
fresh chickpeas (parboiled)
baby zucchini (parboiled)
red pearl onions (parboiled)
mushrooms (raw, sliced)

Also one tomato, diced.

Heat a little olive oil and saute a couple of minced garlic cloves. Add the mushrooms and brown slightly. Add the other ingredients, stir, cover, and turn the heat way down. There should be enough ambient moisture to more or less steam the dish without it drying out. When everything is heated through, salt to taste, add a small splash of balsamic vinegar, and top with a sprinkle of parmesan.

Result: It's a fun combination of different textures and colors, with a bit more subtle of a variety of flavors. The chickpeas are reminiscent of other fresh legumes, but more on the edamame/lima end than the green pea end. Still not sure it's worth the effort of shelling the chickpeas, though.

Comments

[gunnora.livejournal.com]

It is early in the first cup of coffee, but I did get a giggle out of the mental image of spit-roasting chickpeas! I think you'll enjoy it - especially in summer, using a grill outside helps avoid heating the house when cooking. And you're so creative I'm guessing you will find lots to do with it.

[hrj.livejournal.com]

Well, it's a very very tiny little spit.

[madbaker.livejournal.com]

I'd have bought a grill already if I had a place to store it. Healthier than frying and darn useful.

[hrj.livejournal.com]

I'm really looking forward to trying out some of the medieval recipes that absolutely require a spit. There's one I've always wanted to do that's a spit-roasted meatball that you "baste" with batter ....

[ppfuf.livejournal.com]

What kind did you get? I've been looking into getting a grill but have notp-icked one out yet. I would really like a rotisserie, if for no other reason than to try Alton Brown's gyros recipie. mmmmmm, lamb loaf!

[hrj.livejournal.com]

I was looking at various Weber models, but to get the rotisserie option you had to get one of the larger styles and I really wanted something more proportional to my lifestyle. So I got what seems to be OSH's "generic brand", Grillpro (the smallest model).

[albionwood.livejournal.com]

Looking forward to reading about the spitted eggs!

[hrj.livejournal.com]

I've known people who tried that one, but I don't know anyone who's succeeded.