Middle Eastern · main

Roasted Eggplant and Chickpea Shawarma Bowls

Roasted Eggplant and Chickpea Shawarma Bowls reads sourness 5.2, citrus 5.1 and nutty 4.1 on Palate's 0–10 flavor X-ray — a Middle Eastern main, about 52 min. Measured from the recipe itself: ingredients and technique.

The flavor X-ray — six axes, 0–10

The measured notes (of 18)

Sourness 5.2 · Citrus 5.1 · Nutty 4.1 · Richness 4.1 · Salinity 3.9 · Allium 3.2 · Sweetness 3.1 · Earthy 3.0 · Umami 2.8 · Smoke 2.6 · Herbaceous 2.6 · Heat 2.5 · Warm Spice 2.4 · Fruity 1.7 · Bitterness 1.6 · Funk & Ferment 1.5 · Floral 1.2

What's in it (16)

Time & effort: about 52 min (42 min active) · effort: involved

Nutrition (per 100 g, engine-estimated): 222.5 kcal, 9.4 g protein, 5.3 g fat, 34.8 g carbs

Dietary: Vegan — engine-derived; double-check anything allergy-critical.

How it's cooked (7 steps)

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil. Toss the sliced red onion with the red wine vinegar and a pinch of the salt in a small bowl; set aside to quick-pickle while you cook.
  2. In a large bowl, toss the eggplant and chickpeas with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, cinnamon, cayenne, and 3/4 teaspoon of the salt until every piece is evenly coated. Spread in a single layer on the prepared sheet.
  3. Roast, flipping once with a spatula, until the eggplant is deeply browned and tender all the way through and the chickpeas are crisp at the edges, 25 to 30 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, combine the rinsed rice with 1 1/2 cups water and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the water is fully absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
  5. While the rice cooks, whisk the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 3 to 4 tablespoons water in a small bowl until smooth and pourable; season with salt to taste.
  6. Divide the rice among four bowls and top each with a portion of the roasted eggplant and chickpeas.
  7. Drizzle generously with the tahini sauce, scatter the pickled red onion and chopped parsley on top, and serve warm.

Dishes with a similar flavor shape

Keep reading: what sourness, citrus, nutty mean in the flavor lexicon · the world's cuisines, by flavor.

See how this dish fits your palate — take the short taste test →

Every number above is Palate's engine-measured estimate, computed from this recipe's ingredients and techniques — not human-tasted ratings or reviews.