There are some days that you need one more thing on the table to make a complete meal. The difficulty with choosing what side dish to add is deciding how much time you have to make it. Today, we are giving you a family recipe that is easy, quick (less than 10 minutes) and practical to add a side dish with protein, vitamins, and flavour. This is a dish that husband's side of the family makes, of course with some variation, but it is made in a pinch, in a hurry, and with ease.
Revithia (ρεβίθια)-- chick peas are packed with protein. We eat them in so many different forms, and I imagine that most households have a can or two in the pantry. With canned beans, so many things are possible! This is another item to add to the list of choices. There is not a specific name for this dish -- we just call it revithia. If you don't have one or another of the ingredients, that's okay, there are several variations.
For this recipe, you will need the following:
1 can Chick Peas (19 oz. or 540 mL)
olive oil (of course)
1 medium onion, chopped
4-5 cloves garlic, chopped
salt and pepper (to taste)
2/3 of a cup of tomato juice (or tomato sauce or tomato paste or V-8 -- all are optional)
a little water (amounts vary each time you make the dish)
Start with draining the chick peas from the can. Many people do not rinse the beans after draining the water, but we find that the liquid is a bit salty for our liking. Yes, we are adding salt to the recipe, but the salty preserving liquid in the can is more potent than adding salt to the recipe. So, we rinse well before using these beans.
Next, make sure all your ingredients are ready to go -- your onions should be chopped (small dice) and the garlic chopped fine.
Heat some olive oil in a pan on medium-high heat. Although, in husband's family, they will call it a "κατσαρόλα," so use that. Heat the olive oil in a katsarola until it smells and fills the house with that olive scent. That's how we know it is ready for cooking!
Next, put the onions and garlic in the κατσαρόλα and cook them until they are soft and translucent. They may get a little golden in colour, but that's okay, just turn down the heat. You want to make sure that they do not stick to the bottom of the pan, so stir or shake the pan so nothing burns.
Next, add the salt and pepper, then the chick peas (ρεβίθια). And, while you are there, add the tomato juice. This is the variation step -- you can add tomato juice. If you don't have that, then use whatever tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce you have in the fridge. Or, use tomato paste. If none of these are open or you don't have tomato product, then just use water. Either way, it should be enough liquid to just touch the top of the amount of chick peas. The ρεβίθια should not be fully submerged! Add salt and pepper to your liking (we usually put a couple of pinches of each).
Mix this up really well, and lower the heat on the stove. The temperature should be about medium and then you can walk away for a few minutes. Let the pan (the ρεβίθια) go for about 5 or 6 minutes, while everything simmers. Then, serve. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste on your own plate. It's really a lovely little side dish. And, we know that you could serve it as a main dish with some rice and a vegetable or salad, too. It is filling, healthy, and quick. Taking ten to fifteen minutes to make a dish is not a lot of time, but the end result is absolutely worth it!
Now that you have learned yet another family recipe, tell us what you think. Tell us about one of your family gems, like this one, or if you have a different, easy way to make these. It's a nice protein dish that is good for any time of day - some families eat things like this for breakfast! We enjoy this dish year-round, and find that everyone needs a five minute side dish in their repertoire.
A Note:
One variation that we mentioned above is the following:
Instead of adding any of the tomato products, use only the little bit of water and then squeeze some lemon juice into the pan. Adjust the amount of lemon to your individual taste. The little bit of water will keep the dish moist, and the lemon adds a nice flavour. Another choice would be to add a little pesto sauce (without the cheese for fasting times). A pesto (basil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese) sauce adds a nice twist to this already interesting dish, and makes for a beautiful colour. We have used red pesto and green pesto for variety. Any way you make it, enjoy!
Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian
Lord and Master of my life, deliver me from the spirit of laziness, meddling, ambition and gossip. Give me, Your servant, the spirit of prudence, humility, patience and love. Lord and King, grant that I may see my sins and faults and not judge my brother, for You are blessed forever and ever. Amen.
Taken directly from www.orthodoxprayer.org
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