Today’s casserole from Not Your Mother’s Casseroles is a fragrant, good-for-you, protein-packed, and vegetarian dish. Since I knew a month’s worth of casseroles could very quickly expand our waistlines, I deliberately picked out some that were on the healthier side. I also lightened it up by using nonfat yogurt and cottage cheese, even if it wasn’t specified.
The aroma of the rosemary, shallots, and lemon combined with the cottage cheese really struck me when I was preparing this. It also looked delicious as I was making it. I couldn’t wait to see it what it was going to look and taste like once it was done! It definitely had a bright and fresh flavor to it with all the fresh herbs and lemon. I really wish we’d had some pita bread as it’d be great in the pita for lunch the next day. I ended up pairing it with a small side of roasted Brussels Sprouts. This recipe can be found on page 164.
Chickpea Casserole with Lemon, Herbs, and Shallots
Ingredients
- Three 15-oz cans of chickpeas, rinsed/drained
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 4 large shallots, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- salt and pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, minced
- 2 stalks fresh rosemary (leaves only), minced
- 2/3 cup dry bread crumbs
- Olive oil
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil
- In a large bowl, mix the chickpeas, rice, shallots, garlic, and lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper.
- Mix the beaten eggs in a separate medium bowl with the cottage cheese, yogurt, and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese.
- Stir the cottage cheese mixture and herbs into the chickpea mixture.
- Spread the mixture in the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan and bread crumbs. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes, or until bubbling and golden.
- Let stand for 10 minutes then serve.
I’m curious, have any of my casserole recipes inspired you to go and buy this book? Or to create some casseroles of your own? If you’ve made any casseroles, leave a reply and I’d love to get in touch so I can highlight them on the blog and Twitter this month!
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