CHICKPEA FLATBREAD WITH CHERMOULA, TOASTED PINENUTS & ARUGULA

Although it's technically Spring, the dreariness of New York is real.  The rain and grey has been non-stop and is beginning to feel like what I imagine Seattle is like.  Spring things are starting to pop up at the markets, but it just doesn't feel right to make rhubarb when the skies are this grey (but I'm trying).  Making bright green sauces on repeat to combat this weather.

I've been completely overwhelmed by the amount of (great) new cookbooks on my shelves and lately - not enough time to indulge in them.  I’m finally getting around to posting about Lily’s lovely new book, Good Clean Food.  She similarly lives gluten-free, finding it curing her migraines and overall health issues - and obviously, I can relate so much to her story.  I love her minimal sensibility, which is never intimidating and simple enough for everyday.  This chickpea flatbread did not last long…

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Chickpea Flatbreads with Chermoula, Pine Nuts & Arugula (Serves 2-4) Gluten-free + Vegan

*This flatbread is like a cuter pizza with infinite possibilities.  I love it with this spicy chermoula, and if you do dairy, a tangy feta crumbled overtop would be amazing here.  You'll probably have some sauce leftover: use it on roasted chicken or tofu, roasted vegetables, quinoa, etc.  It's pretty amazing on anything.

Flatbread (Recipe from Good Clean Food)

  • 3/4 cup warm water
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
  • 1 packet instant yeast (or 2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 1 cup chickpea flour
  • 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons oat flour
  • 1/4 cup arrowroot flour
  • 2 tablespoons psyllium husks
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for parchment

Chermoula:

  • 1 1/2 cups roughly chopped cilantro
  • 2 cups roughly chopped parsley
  • 4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon sumac
  • 1 teaspoon coriander 
  • 1 lemon, juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • Pinch of cayenne

Toppings:

  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 2 handfuls wild arugula
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground pepper

In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and maple syrup.  Sprinkle yeast over top and let sit for 10 minutes.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flours, psyllium husks and sea salt.  Then mix in yeast mixture and olive oil, stirring well to combine.  It should yield a slightly sticky dough that pulls away from the side of the bowl.  Cover with a kitchen towel or plate, and let rise for 45 minutes in a warm place.

In the meantime, make chermoula: add all ingredients to a food processor and pulse until a semi-smooth sauce. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.  Add a sheet of parchment to an inverted baking sheet.  Coat risen dough with a little olive oil and divide in two.  Using your hands and a little more oil, form dough into two, semi-even flatbreads.  Let rise another 10 minutes.

Brush the tops of dough with oil, then bake for 5 minutes.  Prick the flatbreads with a fork, then bake an additional 5 minutes. 

Top crusts with a generous dollop of chermoula, spreading evenly overtop (leaving some room for “crust”).  Sprinkle pine nuts overtop, then bake another 5-7 minutes or until crust is browned and a bit crisp. Top with arugula, flaky sea salt, and freshly ground pepper.  

YEAR OF THE HIPPIE / "PULSES" !

I was very excited to be contacted by the USADPLC back in March to help them develop recipes based on dry peas, beans & legumes.  I mean, what a treat!  Apparently, each year the United Nations picks a topic of global interest, and they named 2016 the “Year of Pulses” - meaning beans, peas & legumes (who knew they were named pulses, right?).  It’s officially going to be the year of hippie food!

Obviously, I’ve always been a huge advocate of beans & legumes.  For healthy eating, vegetarian cooking & low-cost meals, “pulses” are literally the best option out there.  When I’m tired, exhausted & don’t want to feed myself (but need a homemade meal), I’ll very often turn to soccas or a quick batch of lentils over a salad.  It’s the easiest way to feel well-fed, fast.

Gearing up for 2016 (I can’t believe it’s already May), each country is called to submit one recipe to represent their country.  The USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council reached out for me to develop a recipe to be in the running.  Side note: If you love cooking with beans/legumes, their site is a great resource for recipes ( Lentil meatballs & chickpea quiche sound so good!).  With your help, my recipe could be selected as the National Signature Pulse Recipe for the U.S.

All you have to do, is go to the USADPLC Facebook page & vote just by LIKING my photo.  Simple as that.  I'd love if you could help spread the word, help out this amazing non-profit and get a good, hippie pizza recipe selected Nationally.  As always, thank you for your continued support!

As for this pizza, it's the simplest crust option there is - no rising, waiting or yeast.  It's super quick & something you could throw together for a lovely weeknight meal.  Plus, pesto & pizza are a true match made in heaven.

CHICKPEA PIZZA WITH ARUGULA, PISTACHIO NETTLE PESTO & BURRATA (Gluten-free, Grain-free) Serves 4

Chickpea Crust:

  • 1 cup chickpea flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fennel fronds, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup lukewarm water
  • 4-6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 lemon, zest
  • 4oz. burrata, broken into knobs
  • Large handful baby arugula, to top
  • Pea shoots, to top
  • Flaky sea salt
  • Cracked black pepper

Toasted Pistachio Nettle Pesto:

  • 2 large "tongfuls" of stinging nettle leaves, de-stemmed* 
  • 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
  • 1/3 cup pistachios, toasted
  • 1 lemon, juice & zest
  • 1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano, freshly grated & packed
  • 1;2 teaspoon sea salt
  • Freshly cracked pepper, to taste
  • Olive oil (about 1/3-1/2 cup)

Heat oven to 450 degrees.  In a large mixing bowl, whisk together chickpea flour, salt, pepper, celery seed, fennel fronds and parsley. Slowly whisk in lukewarm water, making sure to eliminate all lumps.  Stir in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Fold in garlic and lemon zest.  Let mixture sit and thicken for about 15 minutes (or up to 12 hours).  

While socca thickens, make pesto: Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Blanch your nettles: add leaves to a boiling pot of water for 1-2 minutes. Remove with tongs or a slotted spoon, and add to an ice bath to cool.  once greens are cool to the touch, strain and squeeze all water from the leaves.

Roughly chop the blanched greens.  Add to a food processor with garlic, pistachios, lemon juice and zest, parmigiano, salt and pepper.  Pulse into a coarse paste.  Then stream olive oil to desired consistency or about 1/3-1/2 cup.  Set aside.

*NOTE: To de-stem your nettle leaves, hold onto stem with tongs, and use your other hand to carefully snip the leaves using kitchen scissors

Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of olive oil evenly into a cast iron (10-12 inches) or 9x11 baking dish to preheat for about 5-6 minutes (or until pan is very hot).  Carefully remove hot pan and pour in batter evenly.  

Top with sea salt, fresh pepper and bake for 12-15 minutes or until edges are browned and firm.  If socca appears dry while baking or after, drizzle more olive oil over top.  Let cool for 15-20 minutes.  Then. spread a thick layer of pesto over chickpea crust and dollop with burrata.  Top with baby arugula, a sprinkling of pea shoots, flaky sea salt and freshly cracked pepper.  Serve warm!