From Albert Bevia:
This spicy Mediterranean chickpea soup is what honest home cooking is all about. It’s filled with flavors, made with basic pantry staples, and done in just 40 minutes. Serve it next to a baguette that’s been sliced up and drizzled with olive oil and a bottle of Spanish wine for a fabulous meal.

TIPS & TRICKS to make this Recipe: What flavors this soup are the spices. Dried cilantro, ground cumin, Spanish paprika, crushed red pepper, and saffron. I used 1/2 tsp (1.30 grams) of crushed red pepper, which is what gives this soup that spicy kick. You can add in less or more depending on your taste.

Spicy Mediterranean Chickpea Soup

Watch Albert preparing this recipe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t48K5sA3_ak

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 45 ml
• 1 medium onion (roughly chopped)
• 6 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
• 2 carrots (thinly sliced)
• 1 tsp ground cilantro 1 gram
• 3/4 tsp ground cumin 2 grams
• 1/2 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 1.25 grams
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper 1.30 grams
• 1/4 tsp saffron threads .17 grams
• 2 tomatoes (finely grated)
• 2 cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans) 15.5 oz / 440 grams each
• 3 cups vegetable broth 720 ml
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 oz fresh bagged spinach (roughly chopped) 100 grams
• 1 tbsp lemon juice 15 ml
• sea salt & black pepper
• chopped cilantro for garnish

Instructions

1. Heat a stockpot with a medium heat and add in the olive oil
2. After a couple of minutes, add in the chopped onion, garlic, and carrots, mix together
3. Once the vegetables are lightly sautéed, about 5 minutes, add in the dried cilantro, ground cumin, paprika, crushed red pepper, and saffron, mix together, then add in the grated tomatoes and season with salt & pepper, mix together and then simmer
4. After about 4 minutes and the grated tomatoes have slightly thickened, add in the canned chickpeas (drained and rinsed), vegetable broth, and bay leaf, raise it to a high heat, and mix together
5. Once it comes to a boil, place a lid on the pan and lower to a low heat, simmer for 15 minutes, then remove the lid and the bay leaf, add in the chopped spinach, and mix together until lightly wilted, then turn off the heat, add in the lemon juice, and mix together
6. Transfer into shallow bowls and sprinkle with chopped cilantro, enjoy!

Recipe Corner

From Albert Bevia:
To make this recipe, I used fusilli pasta. But you can use whatever pasta you like. I just prefer fusilli, as it clings better to the dressing. Either way, make sure to check the pasta package instructions. That way you perfectly cook your pasta al dente.

TIPS & TRICKS to make this Recipe: What really flavors this pasta salad is the homemade dressing. Made with just olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and crushed red pepper. Make sure to use the good stuff here, as it makes all the difference in the flavor.

Mediterranean Pasta & Bean Salad

Watch Albert preparing this recipe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nefhT7xuCZw

Ingredients

• 8 oz fusilli pasta 225 grams
• 1 can white beans (drained & rinsed) 15.5 oz / 440 grams
• 1/3 cup chopped red onion 50 grams
• 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper 75 grams
• 1/3 cup sliced black olives 40 grams
• 1 ball fresh mozzarella (cut into cubes) 4 oz / 125 grams
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil 10 grams
• sea salt & black pepper

FOR THE DRESSING

• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 45 ml
• 1 tbsp lemon juice 15 ml
• 2 cloves garlic (finely grated)
• 1 tsp dried oregano 1 gram
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper 0.65 grams
• sea salt & black pepper

Instructions

1. Fill a stockpot a little over halfway with water, season generously with salt, and heat with a high heat
2. Once it comes to a boil, add in the fusilli pasta, cook until al dente (check pasta package instructions), then drain into a colander and rinse under cold water, shake off any excess water
3. Transfer the pasta into a large bowl, along with the canned beans, chopped red onion, chopped red bell pepper, sliced black olives, cubed fresh mozzarella, and chopped basil, then season with salt & pepper, and mix together until well mixed
4. To make the dressing, add the olive oil into a separate bowl, along with the lemon juice, grated garlic, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper, then season with a kiss of salt & pepper, and whisk together
5. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad, and mix together until well mixed, serve at room temperature or even chilled, as it will hold for up to 3 to 4 days in the fridge, enjoy!

From Albert Bevia:
This Spanish cauliflower in tomato sauce, known as coliflor en salsa de tomate, is what simple and delicious food is all about.  To make this recipe, I used a head of fresh cauliflower. You can also use frozen cauliflower if you like. Just make sure to fully thaw it out beforehand. Either way, make sure all the florets are similar in size; that way, they all evenly cook.

TIPS & TRICKS to make this Recipe: You can serve this cauliflower warm, at room temperature, or even chilled. It will hold for up to 3 to 4 days in the fridge in an airtight container.

Spanish Cauliflower in Tomato Sauce | Coliflor en Salsa de Tomate

Watch Albert preparing this recipe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJz_WOoNBjU

Ingredients

• 1 head fresh cauliflower 1.5 lbs / 675 grams
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 45 ml
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 4 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
• 1 tbsp sherry vinegar 15 ml
• 1 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 2.50 grams
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme 0.50 grams
• 1 can tomato sauce (passata) 15 oz / 425 grams
• 1/4 cup vegetable broth 60 ml
• 2 tbsp grated Manchego cheese 15 grams
• sea salt & black pepper
• chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Fill a stock pot a little over half ways with water, season generously with salt, and heat with a high heat
2. In the meantime, remove the outer leaves from the head of cauliflower, then cut the head into 4 evenly sized pieces (through the stem), remove the florets, making sure to cut the bigger ones into smaller ones that way they´re all similar in size, add the florets into a colander and rinse under water
3. Once the water comes to a boil in the stock pot add in the florets of cauliflower, boil for 4 to 6 minutes or until they’re just tender, then drain into a colander
4. Heat a large fry pan with a medium heat and add in the olive oil
5. After a couple of minutes add in the chopped onion and garlic, mix continuously, after 3 to 4 minutes and the onion is translucent, add in the sherry vinegar, paprika, and thyme, quickly mix together, then add in the canned tomato sauce, vegetable broth, and season with salt & pepper, mix together, then lower to a low-medium heat and simmer
6. After 5 to 10 minutes and the sauce has slightly thickened, add in the florets of cauliflower, mix together, simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, then remove from the heat
7. Transfer into a serving dish, top off with the grated cheese, and chopped parsley, enjoy!
   

From Albert Bevia:
This creamy lentil hummus is possibly the best hummus I have ever tasted. We’re talking layer upon layer of so many great flavors, easy to make, and all done using humble everyday ingredients. Serve it as a tapas appetizer next to some pita bread and marinated olives for the best moment in your day.

TIPS & TRICKS to make this Recipe: What really flavors this hummus, besides the lentils, is the extra virgin olive oil and tahini paste. If you can’t find tahini paste in your area. You can substitute it for the same amount of creamy peanut butter.

“Better than Chickpea Hummus” CREAMY Lentil Hummus

Watch Albert preparing this recipe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPpCu0W0ypk

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dried green lentils 95 grams
• 2 cups water 480 ml
• 3 tbsp tahini paste 45 grams
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1.50 grams
• 1/4 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika .65 grams
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 30 ml
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp water 30 ml
• sea salt & black pepper
• chopped cilantro and olive oil for garnish

Instructions

1. Add the dried lentils into a fine sieve and rinse under water, then add the lentils into a saucepan, along with 2 cups water (480 ml), and heat with a high heat, once it comes to a boil, place a lid on the saucepan and lower to a low heat
2. Once the lentils are just cooked through (check package instructions on the lentils you are using, my took about 15 to 20 minutes), remove the pan from the heat, drain the lentils in a colander and rinse under cold water, then shake off any excess water, reserve a spoonful of the lentils for garnish
3. Transfer the lentils into a food processor, run the food processor for about 1 minute or until the lentils are well blended, making sure to scrape down on the sides at the half way point, then add in the tahini paste, garlic, cumin, paprika, olive oil, lemon juice, and season with salt & pepper, run the food procesoor for another 1 to 2 minutes or until all the ingredients are well blended
4. Once the ingredients are well blended, with the motor still running, add in between 1 to 2 tbsp of water (15 to 30 ml) or until you get the desired creamy texture
5. Transfer the hummus into a shallow bowl, using the back of a spoon create curves on the hummus, then garnish with the reserved lentils, a drizzle of olive oil, and some chopped cilantro, serve at room temperature or chilled, enjoy!
   
   

From Albert Bevia:
What gives this sandwich that creamy goodness is Greek yogurt. I used low fat, but you can also use full fat, nonfat, or even a plant-based one to easily veganize this sandwich. Either way, when you’re mixing the chickpea mixture, if you see it’s too dry, just add in some more yogurt.

TIPS & TRICKS to make this Recipe: It’s important to lightly toast your sandwich bread. Otherwise, it will get mushy and break apart. You can make the creamy chickpea cucumber mixture ahead of time. It will hold for up to 3 to 4 days in the fridge in an airtight container.

CREAMY Chickpea Cucumber Sandwich

Watch Albert preparing this recipe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6kiHurcmh4

Ingredients

• 1 jar cooked chickpeas (same as canned) 25 oz / 700 grams
• 1 container low fat plain greek yogurt 5.3 oz / 150 grams
• 1 tbsp dijon mustard 15 grams
• 1 cup chopped cucumber 140 grams
• 1/3 cup chopped red onion 50 grams
• 1/4 cup chopped dill pickels 35 grams
• 2 cloves garlic (finely grated)
• 2 tbsp chopped chives 6 grams
• 1 tbsp lemon juice 15 ml
• sea salt & black pepper
• 8 slices whole wheat sandwich bread

Instructions

1. Drain the chickpeas into a colander and rinse them under water, then shake off any excess water, transfer the chickpeas into a large bowl, and using a potato masher or large fork, mash down on the chickpeas until they are semi-mashed, meaning it’s ok if you have little chunks of chickpeas in there
2. Add the greek yogurt over the mashed chickpeas, along with the dijon mustard, chopped cucumber, chopped red onion, chopped dill pickles, grated garlic, and chopped chives, then add in the lemon juice, and season with salt and a generous portion of black pepper, mix together until well mixed, add in more yogurt as needed
3. Lightly toast the slices of sandwich bread
4. Add the creamy chickpea mixture over the slices of toast and top off with another slice of toast, enjoy!