Mushroom and Chickpea Makhlama | Tried and True Recipes (2024)

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by Kylie PerrottiPosted on July 6, 2021November 11, 2021

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A traditional Iraqi breakfast is made with flavorful stewed meat and eggs, but this vegetarian makhlama is a delicious mushroom and chickpea makhlama.

Mushroom and Chickpea Makhlama | Tried and True Recipes (1)

Makhlama is a traditional Iraqi breakfast. Traditionally, it is served with ground lamb or ground beef. If you’ve ever been to Busboys & Poets in DC, you’ll see it served on their menu for brunch. The preparation is similar to shakshuka in that the eggs are typically cracked right into the stew and steamed or baked. Personally, I prefer poached eggs so that’s how I served mine. If you want to save yourself a dish, throw them in right with the stew!

Mushroom and Chickpea Makhlama | Tried and True Recipes (2)

In this vegetarian makhlama, I minced a variety of mushrooms to create a meaty texture but I also added chickpeas to add a bit of protein.

The key to this recipe is loading up with spices. This is a flavorful and aromatic dish, so you want to go a little heavy-handed with the spices.

How to Make Mushroom and Chickpea Makhlama:

This recipe is so unbelievably easy to prepare and you’ll have breakfast (or dinner!) on the table in no time.

First, cook the onion and then add the mushrooms. Be sure to cook the mushrooms in batches. They need to release their liquid in order to turn golden brown around the edges. Give them enough space in the pot to brown evenly.

Next, add the spices. If you can find a Baharat spice mixture, use that. Otherwise, use curry powder. Add a bit of extra cumin and, if you like heat, add additional cayenne powder and crushed red pepper to taste.

From there, simply add chickpeas, chopped tomatoes, and lots of fresh parsley. Add water or stock and allow the makhlama to simmer for about 30 minutes until thickened.

While the makhlama simmers, prepare the poached eggs (or after the makhlama simmers, crack the eggs into wells in the stew and cover and steam for 5 minutes or until the whites are set).

That’s it! Serve it with grilled bread and a sprinkle of sumac will add some nice brightness to the dish at the end.

Tip: If you want to save on prep time, mince the mushrooms in a food processor!

Looking for more vegetarian recipes? Check myarchives!

If you made this recipe, please rate it and comment below! You can alsofollow meand share your creations by tagging me! I’d love to feature your #triedandtruerecipes creation on my feed!

Mushroom and Chickpea Makhlama | Tried and True Recipes (3)

A traditional Iraqi breakfast is made with flavorful stewed meat and eggs, but this vegetarian makhlama is a delicious mushroom and chickpea makhlama.

4.36 from 17 votes

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 294kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 yellow onion peeled and diced
  • 1 pound mixed mushrooms such as oyster, maitake, shiitake, or baby bella; small-diced
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder or Baharat, if you can find it
  • 2 teaspoons cumin powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne powder more or less to taste
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper more or less to taste
  • 15- ounce can chickpeas drained and rinsed
  • 3 ripe tomatoes chopped
  • ½ cup loosely packed fresh parsley chopped (a pinch reserved for garnish)
  • 1 cup water or stock
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For serving:

Instructions

Cook the onion:

  • Heat the avocado oil in a wide pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6-7 minutes until it softens.

Cook the mushrooms:

  • Add the mushrooms, in two batches, and cook for 10 minutes until they begin to soften and brown. Season with salt and pepper.

Bloom the spices:

  • Add the curry powder, cumin, cayenne powder, and crushed red pepper to the mushrooms and stir to coat the vegetables in the spices. Cook for 45 seconds until fragrant.

Add the chickpeas:

  • Add the chickpeas, tomatoes, and all but a pinch or two of the parsley and stir to combine. Taste and season lightly with salt and pepper once more.

Simmer the makhlama:

  • Add 1 cup of water or stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer over very low heat, uncovered, for 30 minutes. If the liquid evaporates too quickly, add more water in 1/4 cup increments as needed. Once the makhlama is very thick, turn off the heat.

Prepare the eggs:

  • During the last 10 minutes of the makhlama simmer, prepare the eggs how you like. Try this recipe with poached or sunny side up. You may also make four wells in the makhlama and crack the eggs into them and cover and cook for 5 minutes.

  • If poaching, bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add distilled vinegar along with salt. Reduce heat to a simmer that is just barely bubbling. Strain off excess whites through a sieve and use the back of a wooden spoon to create a whirlpool. Drop the egg into the whirlpool and continue on with three more eggs. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the whites are set but the yolks are still soft. Carefully remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

To serve:

  • Divide the makhlama between bowls and place an egg on top. Garnish with more parsley and a pinch of sumac and Aleppo red pepper flakes. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 14g | Sodium: 381mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin C: 15mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @triedandtruerecipes or tag #triedandtruerecipes so I can feature you in my feed!

Mushroom and Chickpea Makhlama | Tried and True Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How to make chickpeas like canned? ›

Method for Stovetop, Covered
  1. Soak 1/2 cup of dried chickpeas for 12 hours.
  2. Drain, rinse, and add to a pot. Cover by a few inches with water, and add 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and cook at a simmer until tender, about 90 minutes to 2 hours.
Jul 31, 2020

How long to soak canned chickpeas? ›

Raw chickpeas need to be soaked for eight hours or overnight. Part of what I love about canned ones is that they just need to be opened and rinsed. If soaking beans isn't your forte, don't let that stop you from leaning on chickpeas for an easy-to-make dish. Canned chickpeas are just as good.

How do you eat tin chickpeas? ›

How to Use Canned Chickpeas:
  1. Make a quick but better-than-store-bought hummus.
  2. Roast canned chickpeas.
  3. Pan fry chickpeas.
  4. Mash chickpeas for a sandwich.
  5. Mash 'em in a quesadilla.
  6. Make chana masala.
  7. Or another chickpea curry!
  8. Bulk up your soups or stews.
Feb 13, 2021

Do you have to rinse canned chickpeas before cooking? ›

If you are using canned chickpeas, drain and rinse them with water to cut the sodium (salt) content by almost a half. Rinse well in cold water to make them easier to digest and less gas-producing.

Do you need to cook canned chickpeas before eating them? ›

Canned chickpeas are pre-cooked chickpeas. You can eat canned chickpeas straight out of the can! (Just be sure to rinse them off before chowing down to wash out excess sodium) Otherwise, you can roast them or turn them into any number of delicious dishes, like these here.

Can you eat chickpeas every day? ›

You can eat at least one serving (28 grams) of chickpeas per day. However, don't eat more than 70 grams a day since that can cause adverse side effects. If you consume too many chickpeas, some side effects you may get include bloating, nausea, and gas. It's important to remember that chickpeas should not be eaten raw.

What is the healthiest way to eat chickpeas? ›

"Chickpeas are wonderful to add directly to your dish—like salad, pasta, or soup—for extra protein and fiber," Cannon told us. If you're craving a satisfying crunch, she recommends roasting them with avocado oil and plain ol' sea salt.

Is it OK to eat canned chickpeas everyday? ›

In fact, many registered dietitians say that if you eat canned chickpeas regularly, your body will actually see a myriad of health benefits. Between the plant-based protein, fiber, and even the complex carbohydrates that are within these tiny legumes, having chickpeas in your diet is ultimately a good health move.

How to substitute dried chickpeas for canned? ›

For instance, if a baked falafel recipe calls for two 15-ounce cans of chickpeas, which equates to 3 cups, you can substitute with 1½ cups of dry chickpeas. When cooked, they will about double in size. Just bear in mind that the total prep time will increase since the bean-cooking process is notoriously long.

What is a good substitute for canned chickpeas? ›

Perhaps the best substitute for chickpeas across the board is white beans. They have both a similar taste and look to chickpeas. Any white bean will do, including cannellini beans (white kidney beans), lima beans (butter beans), great northern beans, and navy beans.

What is the difference between canned and fresh chickpeas? ›

Fresh chickpeas are picked while they are still green and in the pod. Dried chickpeas are left on the vine until both the plant and the bean have dried out. Dried garbanzo beans are usually the ones that get cooked and canned or turned into hummus. Canned chickpeas are cooked and seasoned with salt prior to canning.

Which is healthier, dried or canned chickpeas? ›

Both canned and dried varieties of chickpeas are nutritious! When purchasing canned varieties, look for those labeled "no salt added" or "low in sodium." Overall, beans are budget-friendly, but dried can often be less expensive and also more flavorful than canned.

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