Vibing off flavors from the Levantine coast, I’m using chickpeas in two different ways to max out on both flavor and texture. Peeled blackened eggplant adds a smoky depth that’s hard to beat.
Smoky Tender Eggplant Silken Hummus (Crispy Chickpeas, Radishes & Lemon)
Ingredients
- 2 (9 oz each) eggplants
- 1-3/4 ounces raw sesame seeds
- 1/2 24-oz jar or 1 x 15-oz can of chickpeas
- 2 lemons
- 7 ounces radishes, ideally with leaves
Instructions
- Prick the eggplants, then carefully blacken them over a direct flame on the stove (or under the broiler), turning with tongs until soft inside. Meanwhile, toast the sesame seeds in a large non-stick frying pan on a high heat until golden, tossing regularly. Put two-thirds of the toasted seeds into a blender, saving the rest for later. Drain the chickpeas (reserving the juice) and add two-thirds to the blender with the juice of 1 lemon and 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Blitz until super-smooth, loosening with splashes of chickpea juice, if needed, then season to perfection and divide between plates.
- Halve the radishes, toss with the remaining lemon juice and season with sea salt to quickly pickle. Once cool enough to handle, carefully remove the skin from the eggplants, then halve lengthways leaving them intact at the stalk, and season with salt and black pepper. Return the frying pan to a medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil, and scatter in the remaining chickpeas. Push the chickpeas to one side, then add the eggplants and cook for 5 minutes, or until the chickpeas are golden and crispy and the eggplant is starting to caramelize, turning as needed. Divide between plates, scatter over the reserved toasted sesame seeds and radishes, and finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, if you like.
Notes
Recipe reprinted with permission from 5 Ingredients Mediterranean by Jamie Oliver (Flatiron Books, 2024). Photography by David Loftus.