Chickpeas in a Sweet Potato Nest with a Harissa Oil Drizzle
Ingredients
Chickpeas
2 400g cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon cilantro, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon parsley, roughly chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon sumac
¼ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
800g sweet potato, peeled and cut crosswise into 2 cm disks
1 clove garlic, peeled
1 tablespoon butter
¼ cup milk
½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
Harissa Oil
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons mild harissa
2 teaspoons sesame seeds
1 teaspoon brown sugar
Pinch of salt
Cabbage
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 baby cabbage (or 1/4 large cabbage)
Salt to taste
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the chickpeas with the olive oil, red wine vinegar, cilantro, parsley, garlic, sumac, and salt.
Bring water to a boil in a pot, salt the water until it is as salty as the ocean, then add the sweet potato chunks and the whole garlic clove. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until the potato is soft and easily pierced with a fork. Drain and return the contents to the pot. Mash and add the butter, milk, and salt to taste. It should be nice and smooth, add a bit more milk if it is not the desired consistency.
In a small saucepan over medium heat add the olive oil, harissa, and sesame seeds and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sesame seeds are golden. Remove from heat and add the brown sugar and a pinch of salt.
Place the cabbage on its base and cut it in half, then cut each piece in 2-3 pieces wedges, through the core so that it holds together. If using a large cabbage, feel free to cut thin slices instead. Heat a pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and then add the cabbage wedges. Cook for 2-3 minutes until browned, flip, and season with salt.
To plate, add a big spoon of sweet potato mash to a plate then using the base of the spoon press down in the center to make a nest. Add a few generous spoonfuls of chickpeas, top with some cabbage wedges, and a drizzle of harissa oil.