Recipe: Marika Day’s healthy cheesy chickpea bake

Looking for a healthy, hearty meal to help warm you from the inside out? Look no further than this cheesy chickpea bake from AIA Ambassador, nutritionist and dietician, Marika Day. 

2 x 400g cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 cup brown rice

2 cups broccoli florets

2 cups vegetable stock

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Black pepper

50g parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
2. Place stock in a saucepan with spices and bring to a gentle boil.
3. In a baking dish add chickpeas, brown rice and broccoli, spreading evenly over the base of the dish.
4. Pour hot stock mixture evenly over rice mixture ensuring all rice has been covered.
5. Grate parmesan cheese over the dish.
6. Cover with aluminium foil and bake in a preheated oven for 55 minutes or until rice is cooked through and liquid has been absorbed.
7. Top with any fresh herbs you have or additional cheese before serving, or simply serve as is.

Notes:

• Swap chickpeas for any legume you have at home, white beans or even kidney beans would work
• Use fresh or frozen broccoli, or swap for any vegetables you have
• Swap vegetable stock for any stock you have - chicken or beef will work
• Mix up the spices based on your taste preference or what you have available
• Swap parmesan cheese for nutritional yeast for a vegan version
• Add peeled prawns or diced chicken for extra protein

Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday Australians live healthier lives. This is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances 

Disclaimer:
The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional, tax or other advice. It does not take into account any individual’s personal situation or needs. You should consider obtaining professional advice from a financial adviser and/or tax specialist, or medical or health practitioner, in relation to your own circumstances and before acting on this information.