Chickpeas, Bacon and Spinach

Pan fried chickpeas, baby spinach, smokey applewood bacon and garlic come together to make one of the most delicious side dishes I have ever known!

Bacon is fried first in a skillet and removed, then the chickpeas are briefly cooked before the spinach and garlic are tossed in. The crispy bacon is crumbled over top to finish. Simple but fabulous.

To transform this into a complete meal you can mix in or serve over a cooked grain, couscous, pasta or rice.

There’s a pop of heat from the addition of red pepper flakes but feel free to season this anyway you like. Smoked paprika, cumin and chile powder would work well as would an Italian twist with herbs like basil and oregano.

Chickpeas, Bacon and Spinach

Rating: 51

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Yield: 3-4 servings

Chickpeas, Bacon and Spinach

Pan fried chickpeas, baby spinach, smokey applewood bacon and garlic come together to make a delicious side or even a main dish.

Ingredients

3 slices thick-cut applewood smoked bacon

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1/4 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes

sea or kosher salt and fresh black pepper

6 cups baby spinach, stems removed

2 garlic cloves, minced

Instructions

In a large skillet cook bacon until browned and crispy. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels. Carefully drain grease from skillet.
Add 2 tablespoons oil, chickpeas and red pepper flakes to skillet and saute over medium heat about 5 minutes, seasoning well with salt and pepper. Add garlic and spinach, toss with chickpeas, when spinach begins to wilt remove from heat.
Drizzle with the remaining tablespoon of oil and crumble bacon over top.

Notes

Adapted from Epicurious

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Comments

lisaiscooking says:

10/10/2011 at

There's something about chickpeas and spinach. They're so perfect together! This is a great side dish, and I would enjoy it as a main too.

Katerina says:

10/10/2011 at

That is one great side dish! It looks and deserves to be called main dish, I think! Have a nice week Reeni!

Louise Volper says:

10/10/2011 at

I've got the Chickpeas, the Bacon and newly harvested Spinach. I'll be making this as my side dish with pork chops tonight!!! Thanks for sharing, Reeni…

Blond Duck says:

10/10/2011 at

I'm making this tonight. Screw my menu plan.

Beth says:

10/10/2011 at

I love the idea of seeing a whole collection of side dish recipes. Great suggestion!