Budget-Friendly Spicy Chickpea Rice Bowl

• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 1 small red onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons tahini
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish

Instructions

1. Cook the rice according to package instructions. Once cooked, fluff with a fork and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent.
3. Add the diced red and green bell peppers to the skillet. Cook for another 5 minutes until veggies are tender but still slightly crisp.
4. Push vegetables to the side. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the empty side and add chickpeas. Sprinkle cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper over chickpeas. Stir frequently and cook for 5-7 minutes until chickpeas are heated through and slightly crispy on the edges.
5. While the chickpeas and veggies cook, prepare the yogurt-tahini drizzle by whisking together the plain yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, and minced garlic. Add a pinch of salt to taste.
6. To assemble, divide the rice evenly among 4 bowls. Top with the spiced chickpea and pepper mixture.
7. Drizzle the yogurt-tahini sauce generously over each bowl.
8. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro and serve warm.

Chef tips

• For a vegan option, substitute the plain yogurt with dairy-free yogurt or a drizzle of tahini mixed with a little water and lemon juice.
• If you don’t have smoked paprika, regular paprika or chili powder can work but adjust cayenne for heat preference.
• To save time, cook rice in a rice cooker or use pre-cooked frozen rice packets.
• Add extra protein by topping with a fried egg or grilled chicken if desired.