Harissa Green Beans with Spiced Chickpeas and Feta Cheese | www.floatingkitchen.net

Harissa Green Beans with Spiced Chickpeas and Feta Cheese

This post was originally published here on November 17, 2014. I’ve given the photos and text a bit of a refresh. Enjoy!

Are you guys all familiar with that traditional green bean casserole that’s usually served at Thanksgiving? Yes? Well, I’m not. Because I’ve never eaten it in my life.

I’ll pause for reaction.

Yes, it’s true. Most people are shocked to find out that I’ve never had it. I think it makes me un-American or something. I don’t know. I guess when your family is made up of a bunch of farmers, dumping an entire can of condensed soup onto crisp, fresh vegetables is kind of a sin.

But I’d be down to try it. So maybe someone wants to invite me over for a Friends-giving someday. Hint, hint.

Casserole or no casserole, I still think Thanksgiving should have green beans. I usually do a simple side dish of sautéed green beans with slivered almonds. But this year, I’m changing things up and going spicy with these Harissa Green Beans with Spiced Chickpeas and Feta Cheese. I hope my family doesn’t revolt against me.

Harissa Green Beans with Spiced Chickpeas and Feta Cheese | www.floatingkitchen.net

I used harissa paste, which you can buy in the grocery store or make at home (I’ve got a recipe here), to flavor the green beans. And a short list of spices to season the chickpeas. I roast the green beans and chickpeas separately to ensure they both end up perfectly cooked (just say “NO” to soggy green beans!). And only once they’re done do I combine them with a few crumbles of creamy feta cheese before serving. The end results is a healthy, well balanced dish that’s definitely worthy of your Holiday table. And a bit of an upgrade from the traditional casserole, if I do say so myself (not that I have any actual proof of that because I’ve never eaten it before).

Oh hey, want to know another weird Thanksgiving-related secret about me? My family doesn’t serve mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving.

I think that statement requires a second pause.

And now since many of your have probably fainted from the trauma of reading that, I propose that this is a good place to end this post.

Cheers,

Liz

Harissa Green Beans with Spiced Chickpeas and Feta Cheese

Serves about 6

Harissa Green Beans with Spiced Chickpeas and Feta Cheese

Ingredients

  • For the Chickpeas
  • 1 (16 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. paprika

  • For the Green Beans
  • 1 tablespoon harissa paste
  • 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 12 ounces green beans, trimmed
  • 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Spread the chickpeas out on a paper towel. Then use another paper towel to pat them completely dry. In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, cumin and paprika. Add the dried chickpeas and toss until they are well coated. Spread the chickpeas out onto a rimmed baking sheet. Then transfer them to your pre-heated oven to roast for 25 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking time. Remove the chickpeas from the oven and set them aside.
  3. Meanwhile, prepare the green beans. In a large bowl, combine the harissa paste and the olive oil. Add the green beans and toss them to coat. Spread the green beans out onto a second rimmed baking sheet and transfer them to your pre-heated oven. Roast for 10 minutes. Then remove them from the oven and set aside.
  4. To serve, arrange the green beans on a serving plate. Top with the chickpeas and the feta cheese crumbles. Serve immediately.
  5. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 1-2 days, although the chickpeas will loose their crispness over time.
https://www.floatingkitchen.net/harissa-green-beans-with-spiced-chickpeas-and-feta/

51 comments on “Harissa Green Beans with Spiced Chickpeas and Feta Cheese”

  1. I can totally understand why you’ve never tried a standard green bean casserole since you have the fresh stuff right at your fingertips! This dish sounds amazing, Liz! I love that you added chickpeas and feta to these beans. Delish!

  2. I actually don’t love traditional green bean casseroles..this sounds like something I would much prefer and I love that it is healthier too!

  3. Liz, you are seriously not missing much if you’ve never tried “traditional green bean casserole.” Well, let me explain this. . you don’t need to try the one with the canned “fried” onion ring thingys on top. Not good. . try the newer, re-invented ones. . maybe the ones with real homemade fried onion rings on top and no canned soup involved! and just for the record, I would eat your “harissa-green-beans-with-spiced-chickpeas-and-feta” over a green bean casserole any day!! love this!

  4. Perfection! I much prefer fresh green bean side dishes to the mushroom soup casserole. These beanages look so flavorful – definitely a great Thanksgiving side!

  5. I don’t judge. Who needs mashed potatoes when you have stuffing. And green bean casserole is good and all but my family usually does it just like you with slivered almonds and olive oil!

  6. Let’s be real, this looks way better than the traditional green bean casserole!

  7. I have never had the “traditional” green bean casserole either. Don’t think I could live without the mashed potatoes though. I’m a carb-o-holic though 😉

    Love your version of green beans!

    • I’m down with the carbs too. We do rice pilaf (it’s an Armenian thing) instead of mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving.

  8. I love green bean casserole and make it every year, but I’m totally good with eating these too! I love the spice and flavors going on in this veggie dish!

  9. Girl, you’re not the only one. I had my first green bean casserole last thanksgiving. it’s all right. Honestly, if you didn’t grown up eating them, you’re not missing much 🙂

  10. Come to my Friendsgiving!!! 🙂 And don’t you worry, no green bean casserole for this girl either. It is a sin in farmer families 🙂 and hooray for chickpeas in this dish! 🙂 Love them! 🙂

  11. Lucky duck you!! There is nothing you are missing in green bean casserole. If I can avoid my SIL’s terrible casserole I so would be happy. Maybe I should bring this beautiful side instead? hmmm hint hint: your casserole sucks!

  12. I am shocked, but I think you’re doing one better with harissa. I’m addicted to that stuff!

  13. I love harissa, green beans and chickpeas so this is perfect for me!

  14. those chickpeas! yum!

  15. What a great combination of flavors! I’d take this over casserole any day 😉

  16. This looks amazing! I love the spiced chickpeas!

  17. I had traditional green bean casserole once…that was enough for me. I can tell you that you’re not missing anything! This situation is waaay better!

  18. Green bean casserole from scratch is pretty dang tasty, but it can be a lot when there are so many rich dishes on the table. These beans look delish, love the chick peas and adore the harrisa!

  19. Pingback: 51 Easy and Healthy Veggie Sides That Will Outshine Any Entrée - Perfect Your Lifestyle

  20. I know this is an old post, but I am confused about the total baking time for the chickpeas and the beans . Recipe says cook chickpeas for 15 minutes, but it doesn’t say how long to cook beans, except that after 15 minutes of baking the chickpeas shake them up and cook them AND the beans for 10 more minutes. So, it looks as if the chickpeas bake for a total of 25 minutes, but not sure if beans get just 10 minutes or more? Please clarify. thanks.

    • Hi Faith. The chickpeas get cooked for a total of 25 minutes. The green beans get cooked for just 10 minutes. It is written a bit confusing! Thanks for alerting me! I’m going to fix the text a bit so it makes more sense. Thanks!

  21. Where do you find harissa? I’ve never actually heard of it!

    • You can find harissa at most large grocery store chains, and often in specialty food stores as well. Or you can make it at home (I’ve linked to a recipe in the post!).

  22. You had me at harissa! Love the new photos, girl!

  23. My SIL makes the green bean casserole every year. And every year it’s gross. I wish I could bring this instead without insulting her. But I guess I will just make for myself. Love it!!

  24. Made this tonight and it was wonderful! HIt for the whole family and so easy to make. Thanks for sharing!

  25. Can I just use the harissa dry spice instead of paste? I can’t find it in my area.

    • I haven’t tried using harissa dry spice/rub. You may want to moisten it with water or olive oil first. Please let me know how it goes!

  26. OMG, best green beans ever!!!!

    I used smoked Spanish paprika and a bit more oil……..these are the bomb! Thank you!

    and PS I hate mashed potatoes, and we never serve them at our house either 😉

    • Ha! I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone else you skips the mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving! Lol. So glad you tried out these green beans! A favorite of mine, too!

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