Mediterranean Smash Recipes

MEDITERRANEAN SMASHED CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Put 3 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook gently until softened, about 10 minutes. Raise heat to medium-high. Add garlic, cumin, red pepper flakes and celery. Stir to combine let sizzle without browning for 1 minute.
• Add chickpeas and let them heat through. With a potato masher or wooden spoon, crush about half the beans. Stir well, taste and adjust seasoning. Add 1/2 cup water (or bean cooking liquid if you have it) and let mixture simmer briskly for a minute or two. Stir in lemon juice and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Serve warm in pita or as a dip or side dish. Garnish with quartered eggs, accompanied by minted yogurt and tahini sauce, if desired.

CRISPY SMASHED POTATOES WITH GARLIC AND ZA'ATAR

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees F and adjust a rack in the center.
• Boil the potatoes. Bring a large pot of water (about 2 quarts) to a boil. Season generously with kosher salt (about 1 tbsp), add the baking soda and potatoes. Stir. Let the water return to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, and cook until tender and you can easily insert a knife in the potatoes (about 10 to 15 minutes after the water had returned to a boil)
• Drain. Using a colander, drain the potatoes and let them sit in the colander for 5 to 10 minutes to dry.
• Smash and steam dry the potatoes. Arrange the potatoes on a large, lightly oiled sheet pan. Using the back of a fork or a potato masher, lightly smash the potatoes making sure to keep them in one piece. The thinner you smash them, the crispier they will be. Let the potatoes sit to dry for another 5 to 10 minutes.
• Season the potatoes with a pinch of kosher salt and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, making sure all the potatoes get some of the oil.
• Roast. Roast on the middle rack of your heated oven for about 45 to 50 minutes or until the potatoes are golden brown and crispy (the rough edges will be charred).
• Make the olive oil garlic sauce. While the potatoes are roasting, in a small mixing bowl, combine ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil with the parsley, za'atar, and garlic.
• Season and serve. When the potatoes are ready, remove them from the oven and transfer to a serving platter. Drizzle the olive oil and za'atar mixture all over. And finish with the chopped green onions. Enjoy as soon as possible!