Mediterranean Chickpea Grain Bowls with Glazed Carrots, Dates & Lemon Yogurt

Step 1

1 Cook the barley: Fill a medium pot 3/4 of the way up with salted water; cover and heat to boiling on high. Once boiling, add the barley and cook, uncovered, 28 to 30 minutes, or until tender. Turn off the heat. Drain thoroughly and return to the pot.

Step 2

2 Prepare the ingredients & marinate the beets: Meanwhile, wash and dry the fresh produce. Drain and rinse the chickpeas; pat dry with paper towels. Peel the carrots; halve lengthwise, then thinly slice on an angle. Pit and roughly chop the dates. Roughly chop the parsley leaves and stems. Peel the shallot and finely chop to get 1 tablespoon (you may have extra). On a paper towel-lined cutting board, medium dice the beets. In a bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon purée, and 1 tablespoon of water; season with salt and pepper. In a separate bowl, combine the chopped shallot, diced beets, vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Set aside to marinate, stirring occasionally, at least 10 minutes. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired.

Step 3

3 Cook the chickpeas: Meanwhile, in a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the drained chickpeas in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, 3 to 4 minutes, or until browned (be careful, as the chickpeas may pop as they cook). Season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until slightly crispy. Transfer to a bowl and cover with foil to keep warm. Wipe out the pan.

Step 4

4 Cook & glaze the carrots: In the same pan, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the sliced carrots in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, 3 to 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the harissa paste; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until thoroughly combined. Add 2 tablespoons of water (carefully, as the liquid may splatter). Cook, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes, or until the water has cooked off. Turn off the heat.

Step 5

5 Finish the barley & serve your dish: To the pot of cooked barley, add the cooked chickpeas, glazed carrots, marinated beets (including any liquid), chopped dates, and 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Serve the finished barley topped with the lemon yogurt. Garnish with the almonds and chopped parsley. Enjoy!

Step 6

1 Cook the barley: Fill a medium pot 3/4 of the way up with salted water; cover and heat to boiling on high. Once boiling, add the barley and cook, uncovered, 28 to 30 minutes, or until tender. Turn off the heat. Drain thoroughly and return to the pot.

Step 7

2 Prepare the ingredients & marinate the beets: Meanwhile, wash and dry the fresh produce. Drain and rinse the chickpeas; pat dry with paper towels. Peel the carrots; halve lengthwise, then thinly slice on an angle. Pit and roughly chop the dates. Roughly chop the parsley leaves and stems. Peel the shallot and finely chop to get 1 tablespoon (you may have extra). On a paper towel-lined cutting board, medium dice the beets. In a bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon purée, and 1 tablespoon of water; season with salt and pepper. In a separate bowl, combine the chopped shallot, diced beets, vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Set aside to marinate, stirring occasionally, at least 10 minutes. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired.

Step 8

3 Cook the chickpeas: Meanwhile, in a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the drained chickpeas in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, 3 to 4 minutes, or until browned (be careful, as the chickpeas may pop as they cook). Season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until slightly crispy. Transfer to a bowl and cover with foil to keep warm. Wipe out the pan.

Step 9

4 Cook & glaze the carrots: In the same pan, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the sliced carrots in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, 3 to 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the harissa paste; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until thoroughly combined. Add 2 tablespoons of water (carefully, as the liquid may splatter). Cook, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes, or until the water has cooked off. Turn off the heat.

Step 10

5 Finish the barley & serve your dish: To the pot of cooked barley, add the cooked chickpeas, glazed carrots, marinated beets (including any liquid), chopped dates, and 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Serve the finished barley topped with the lemon yogurt. Garnish with the almonds and chopped parsley. Enjoy!