Crispy Chickpea & Freekeh Salad

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Heat a medium pot of salted water to boiling on high. Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Spread onto a paper towel-lined sheet pan. Using a second layer of paper towels, gently pat or roll the chickpeas to thoroughly dry; discard the paper towels and any loose chickpea skins. Drizzle the dried chickpeas with olive oil; toss to thoroughly coat. Arrange in a single, even layer. Roast, stirring halfway through, 20 to 22 minutes, or until crispy. (Be careful, as the chickpeas may pop as they roast.) Remove from the oven and carefully transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

While the chickpeas roast, wash and dry the fresh produce. Peel the carrots; halve lengthwise, then thinly slice crosswise. Roughly chop the date. Roughly chop the parsley leaves and stems. Roughly chop the almonds. Using a peeler, remove the yellow rind of the lemon, avoiding the white pith; mince the rind to get 2 teaspoons of zest (or use a zester). Quarter and deseed the lemon. Peel the shallot and mince to get 2 tablespoons (you may have extra). Place in a bowl with the lemon zest and the juice of 2 lemon wedges. Slowly whisk in 1 teaspoon of olive oil until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

While the chickpeas continue to roast, add the freekeh to the pot of boiling water and cook, uncovered, 20 to 22 minutes, or until tender. Turn off the heat. Drain thoroughly and return to the pot. Drizzle with olive oil and stir to thoroughly combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

While the freekeh cooks, in a bowl, combine the labneh and the juice of the remaining lemon wedges; season with salt and pepper to taste.

While the freekeh continues to cook, in a large pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the carrots; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 5 minutes, or until slightly softened. Add the dates, ¼ cup of water and as much of the harissa paste as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 5 minutes, or until the carrots are softened and coated and the liquid has cooked off. Turn off the heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Add the vinaigrette, glazed carrots, roasted chickpeas and half the parsley to the pot of cooked freekeh. Stir to thoroughly combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Divide between 2 dishes. Top with spoonfuls of the lemon labneh. Garnish with the almonds and remaining parsley. Enjoy!