Harissa Olive Oil-Braised Chickpeas and Fennel

I’m never without a can of chickpeas in my pantry. There are endless ways to turn them into a meal, from tossing them into salads to smashing them onto toast. But my absolute favorite is perhaps the most overlooked — and that’s braising! It’s easy, it’s hands-off, and it’s totally transformative.

While the technique of braising is often reserved for meat, it works just as much magic on a humble can of beans. When submerged in olive oil and braised slowly in the oven, chickpeas become silky and softened and infused with flavor, without a hint of that dull tinned taste that’s all too often the crux of canned conveniences. Here, they’re mixed with lemon and garlic and topped with tangy feta for a bright and cozy vegetarian dinner.

Each month, I’ve been touching on key ingredients in the Mediterranean diet — things like fish, nuts, vegetables, and whole grains. Olive oil is the final component and is easily one of the most well-known. It’s rich in heart-healthy fats and antioxidants, and it’s also incredibly versatile. Although it’s most commonly used for sautéing or roasting, olive oil is also great for baking (whether it’s a chocolatey cake or savory dinner rolls), and, of course, braising. Here, braising the beans in the olive oil not only prevents them from drying out in the oven, but it also enriches them with flavor and all that good fat. For everyday use, my favorite brand is California Olive Ranch.

Read more: What’s the Difference Between Regular Olive Oil and Extra-Virgin Olive Oil?

Olive oil and chickpeas are the stars of this meal — both of which you probably already have on hand. A few flavor boosters are all it takes to turn them into a luxurious dinner.

First, you’ll infuse the olive oil with harissa (New York Shuk is my favorite brand), which gives it spicy, savory flavor. The beans are mixed with thinly sliced fennel and lemon, rosemary sprigs, and smashed garlic cloves, all of which mingle with the olive oil and soften in the oven. It’s a simple meal that’s bold with personality — especially when finished with a generous sprinkling of crumbled feta.

My preference is to serve it with crusty bread, a green salad, and my favorite bottle of wine (white or red), but really, you do you. The braise can be served over couscous, brown rice, farro, or creamy polenta, or even tossed with pasta.

Welcome to Mediterranean Monday, Sheela Prakash‘s monthly column of Mediterranean recipes. Here, Sheela will teach you all about the Mediterranean diet’s feel-good way of cooking and eating, and share vibrant, easygoing recipes. Cook with us using #mediterraneanmonday, and for even more great recipes, order a copy of Sheela’s cookbook Mediterranean Every Day.