Una Tapa de Sevilla
Recently, I received a recipe request from a student with whom I worked prior to retirement. Shahnawaz is studying art history this semester in Madrid, and he recently spent a few days in Andalucia visiting Granada, Sevilla, and Córdoba. Seeing his photos took me back to our own adventures there last autumn.
Shahnawaz posted a few wonderful photos of the architecture, friends, and experiences… and one food photo: Espinacas con Garbanzos — Spinach with Garbanzo Beans. We looked for this very local and iconic dish on every menu we saw in Andalucia, but never found it. But Shahnawaz did, and loved it.
He asked me if I would post a recipe for Espinacas con Garbanzos. I hadn’t yet made it, but it gave me an excuse to find a recipe and try it. What I didn’t know is how many recipes there would be for this dish, and how many variations there would be.
Some versions were brothy, while others were thick — thick beyond stew. Some had almonds and breadcrumbs, while others were tomato-based. I saw a few (including the one Shahnawaz posted) topped with fresh cheese, and others with yogurt. The only constants were: spinach, garbanzo beans, pimentón (smoked paprika), and cumin. Simplicity at its best. Below is my recipe based on many of the traditional ones I saw.
~ David
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Eric
April 15, 2023 at 8:34 amDavid, your photo shows this dish off so well! The spinach is recognizably spinach — and your recipe shows how you make that happen. We tried spinach with garbanzos a few times in Seville, and the disappointing versions were those in which the spinach might have been Gerber’s baby food. (Maybe breadcrumbs were partly to blame for that.) In your search, you probably ran across recipes that call for spices for snails, something I was surprised to find in the kitchen area of our Seville lodgings.
Cocoa & Lavender
April 15, 2023 at 3:07 pmMany of the recipes I looked at had spinach that resembled what you described, Eric! It really shouldn’t look that way, and there should be a freshness to it. I tried it with breadcrumbs, and I didn’t like it. It seem to take away from the flavors. I hope you two are enjoying your time in Spain. We can’t wait to hear about your adventures…
Carolyne
April 15, 2023 at 8:38 amThat is my kind of side dish!
Cocoa & Lavender
April 15, 2023 at 3:05 pmWe use it as both a side, dish and main dish! In fact, more often than not it’s a main dish. Very tasty.
Lisa Harper
April 15, 2023 at 9:18 amDavid: Your dish arrived just in time for lunch. I was thinking of doing tapas and lo, your espinacas con garbanzos appeared online. It looks delicious.
Cocoa & Lavender
April 15, 2023 at 3:05 pmWell, as they say, great minds, think a like! Glad I was able to help. Can’t wait to see you soon!
Mad Dog
April 15, 2023 at 9:43 amA classic and there are very simialr dishes in India and Persia.
Cocoa & Lavender
April 15, 2023 at 3:04 pmOne of my favorite Morrocan salads is chickpeas and spinach. Definitely not an uncommon combination! One of my friends also told me that she makes a similar dish with rapini. The Sicilian version…
Jennifer Sachs Dahnert
April 15, 2023 at 12:08 pmI’m definitely going to try this! Thank you, as always, for the inspiration!
Cocoa & Lavender
April 15, 2023 at 3:04 pmThanks! We really enjoy this recipe. Are you around this summer? We’d love to see you again.
Marian Jensen
April 15, 2023 at 2:41 pmThis looks fantastic, David. We love everything in this dish– the combo sounds amazing. Thanks!
Cocoa & Lavender
April 15, 2023 at 3:03 pmWhat’s not to love? Every time we have it takes us back to our days in Spain.
Mimi Rippee
April 15, 2023 at 3:04 pmOhhhhhh this looks fabulous! How can you go wrong with spinach, garbanzos, and cumin?! And I love the yogurt on top.
Cocoa & Lavender
April 16, 2023 at 2:56 amThe combination is really addictive, Mimi! Thanks!
Eha
April 15, 2023 at 4:16 pmWhat a great idea for healthy midday meals during the coming busy week – have all the ingredients! I use passata rather than sauce as is more common hereabouts and shall add some curry spice which I usually haven’t . . . thanks . . . and thanks for sharing your beautiful flowers on Instagram during the week . . .
Cocoa & Lavender
April 16, 2023 at 2:58 amI use passata, as well, but it isn’t as readily available so, for this recipe, I tested with tomato sauce which is very similar. It makes a good meal — lunch or dinner!
Sherry m
April 15, 2023 at 9:49 pmI love chickpeas! We eat heaps of them tho I’ve read too many is not a good thing but I choose not to believe that:). This sounds great David!
Cocoa & Lavender
April 16, 2023 at 2:59 amI hadn’t heard that too many chickpeas was not good for you… and I will pretend I never saw it in your note! 🤣 We love them, too!
Lisa harper
April 16, 2023 at 5:06 amI tried the espinacas con garbanzos with gambas al ajillo, Spanish cheeses and Moroccan black olives. I paired it with a Bourgogne Blanc. it worked.
Cocoa & Lavender
April 16, 2023 at 10:12 amThat sounds like the perfect tapas lunch! Wish we had been there…
Jeff the Chef
April 16, 2023 at 9:28 amI would not’ve guessed that sopinach and garbanzo beans could look so delicious and so tempting!
Cocoa & Lavender
April 16, 2023 at 10:11 amSame here, Jeff! Yeah, it’s really, really good!
Ronit
April 16, 2023 at 10:46 amGreat simple combination. I know of a version with lots of fresh lemon squeezed over once it’s at room temperature and before serving. Would definitely go with yogurt on top as well. 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
May 3, 2023 at 3:46 pmI love the idea of adding lemon to this, Ronit.
Diana Gordon
April 16, 2023 at 6:06 pmMade it for lunch! I have to do it again, as I did NOT follow your non-stick pan instruction so I think the garbanzos didn’t achieve their perfect texture I envisioned. I did try that new curly, doesn’t wilt spinach though and that was on the money. I think of this spooned over a gr8 bread earthiness so may aim for that next time and up the spices to compensate for the bread
Thank you!.
Cocoa & Lavender
May 3, 2023 at 3:45 pmI am so glad that you enjoyed it, Diana! It’s fun to play with different things in the recipe to see how they work out.
Pauline McNee
April 18, 2023 at 7:14 pmThis is wonderful combination of ingredients and flavours David, simple and yet so tasty. Good tasty food doesn’t need to be complicated does it? Thank goodness for cumin and chickpeas.
Cocoa & Lavender
May 3, 2023 at 3:45 pmIsn’t it true? Cumin and chickpeas are such staples in our kitchen.
Velva
April 19, 2023 at 9:11 amDavid, we both share a love of Spanish foods. This is a beautiful simple dish of beans, and spinach. This served up with rustic bread, and a glass of wine would be swoon worthy.
Velva
Cocoa & Lavender
May 3, 2023 at 3:44 pmYes, Velva, we both do love our Spanish food! What I love is that the simple dishes are, indeed, swoon worthy.
Marcelle
April 21, 2023 at 8:09 amDavid, this dish is brand new to me and thank you for doing all the research to bring us the best recipe for it. I already love your version., those smoky spices are some of my favorites. I honestly can’t wait to try this soon!
Cocoa & Lavender
May 3, 2023 at 3:28 pmThe paprika mixed with the cumin is pretty amazing!
2pots2cook
April 26, 2023 at 3:26 amSimple and healthy ingredients make such a tasty dish. If I add two eggs aside, here we have budget friendly and so healthy meal….. fantastic!
Cocoa & Lavender
May 3, 2023 at 3:20 pmWe need to try it with eggs — such a brilliant idea!
Raymund
April 27, 2023 at 5:26 pmI can totally relate to Shahnawaz’s love for this dish. I’ve never tried it myself, but your recipe sounds delicious, and I’m definitely going to give it a go.
Cocoa & Lavender
May 3, 2023 at 3:18 pmIt’s really so good — I hope you try it!
Valentina
April 28, 2023 at 2:56 pmSounds and looks so delicious, and it’s full of healthy ingredients, to boot! 🙂 ~Valentina
P.S. Love the red cloth. So pretty.
Cocoa & Lavender
May 3, 2023 at 3:17 pmThe cloth is actually from Spain — brought back by an elderly friend. We had the spinach and chickpeas again this week — so good!