Asparagus & Chickpea Pulao with Tahini Dressing

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If it's a chilly day, serve this dish warm. It's also great served cold as a summer salad on a warm day.

Prep Time

45 minutes

Cook Time

30 minutes

Yield

8 Servings

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 can chickpeas
2 cloves garlic
1 onion, yellow
1 bunch asparagus
3 cups rice, brown
  sea salt
1 cup almonds (slivered)

Instructions

Tahini Dressing:
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup tahini
zest of one lemon
scant 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons hot water
scant 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt

 

Make the dressing by whisking together the garlic, tahini, lemon zest and juice, and olive oil. Add the hot water to thin a bit and then the salt. Set aside.

Heat the olive oil in a big skillet over medium-high heat. Swirl the oil around to coat the pan, then add the chickpeas and a sprinkling of salt. Let the beans sauté for a couple minutes until they begin to brown slightly. Add the garlic and onions and sauté for a minute. Stir in the asparagus with another pinch or two of salt, cover with a lid for a minute or two and steam just until the asparagus brightens and softens up a bit. Uncover and stir in the rice and almond slivers, reserving a few almonds for garnish. Taste and add more salt if needed. Serve family-style in a big bowl drizzled with a few tablespoons of the tahini dressing. Let each person add more dressing to their tastes.