Chickpea “Tuna” & Chilli Jam Melt
Chickpea “Tuna” & Chilli Jam Melt
Ingredients
For the Chickpea “Tuna”
- 570 g chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 nori, sheets, very finely chopped with knife or scissors
- 3 spring onions, finely chopped
- 1 lemon, zest of
- 100 g mayo, plant-based for vegan option
- 1 pinch salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice, a little, if needed
For the Melts
- 4 spoonfuls chilli jam
- 150 g mozzarella, or cheese of choice, good plant-based alternatives exist for completely vegan option
- 4 slices sourdough, good quality
- 1 knob butter, as needed
- 1 teaspoon oil, as needed, to fry
Instructions
- 1
Add the drained and rinsed chickpeas to a large bowl. Coarsely mash them with a fork until mostly broken down but still with some texture.
⏱️ 3 min
- 2
To the mashed chickpeas, add the mayo, very finely chopped nori, finely chopped spring onions, and the zest of 1 lemon. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Taste the chickpea “tuna” mixture and season with a pinch of salt and a little lemon juice if needed to enhance the flavor.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Spread the chilli jam evenly on one side of all 4 slices of sourdough bread.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
To assemble the first melt, place one slice of bread on a clean surface with the chilli jam side facing up. Layer half of the mozzarella or chosen cheese over the chilli jam.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Spoon and spread half of the prepared chickpea “tuna” mixture evenly over the cheese layer. Add another layer of the remaining mozzarella or cheese on top of the chickpea “tuna”.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Place a second slice of sourdough bread on top of the fillings, with the chilli jam side facing down. Repeat steps 5-7 for the second melt.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Add a knob of butter and/or a little oil to a frying pan and place it over a low-medium heat. Allow the butter to melt and the pan to heat up.
⏱️ 1 min
- 9
Carefully place one assembled melt into the hot pan. Toast the bread on both sides until it is deeply golden and the cheese has melted thoroughly. This will take patience, about 5-7 minutes per side. Weigh down the sandwich with a plate if needed to ensure even contact and browning.
⏱️ 12 min
- 10
Once toasted to perfection, remove the melt from the pan. Transfer it to a cutting board and slice it in half, usually diagonally. Serve immediately and enjoy!
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Chickpea “Tuna” & Chilli Jam Melt
For the Chickpea “Tuna”
- 570 g chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 nori, sheets, very finely chopped with knife or scissors
- 3 spring onions, finely chopped
- 1 lemon, zest of
- 100 g mayo, plant-based for vegan option
- 1 pinch salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice, a little, if needed
For the Melts
- 4 spoonfuls chilli jam
- 150 g mozzarella, or cheese of choice, good plant-based alternatives exist for completely vegan option
- 4 slices sourdough, good quality
- 1 knob butter, as needed
- 1 teaspoon oil, as needed, to fry
Instructions
- 1
Add the drained and rinsed chickpeas to a large bowl. Coarsely mash them with a fork until mostly broken down but still with some texture.
⏱️ 3 min - 2
To the mashed chickpeas, add the mayo, very finely chopped nori, finely chopped spring onions, and the zest of 1 lemon. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Taste the chickpea “tuna” mixture and season with a pinch of salt and a little lemon juice if needed to enhance the flavor.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Spread the chilli jam evenly on one side of all 4 slices of sourdough bread.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
To assemble the first melt, place one slice of bread on a clean surface with the chilli jam side facing up. Layer half of the mozzarella or chosen cheese over the chilli jam.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Spoon and spread half of the prepared chickpea “tuna” mixture evenly over the cheese layer. Add another layer of the remaining mozzarella or cheese on top of the chickpea “tuna”.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Place a second slice of sourdough bread on top of the fillings, with the chilli jam side facing down. Repeat steps 5-7 for the second melt.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Add a knob of butter and/or a little oil to a frying pan and place it over a low-medium heat. Allow the butter to melt and the pan to heat up.
⏱️ 1 min - 9
Carefully place one assembled melt into the hot pan. Toast the bread on both sides until it is deeply golden and the cheese has melted thoroughly. This will take patience, about 5-7 minutes per side. Weigh down the sandwich with a plate if needed to ensure even contact and browning.
⏱️ 12 min - 10
Once toasted to perfection, remove the melt from the pan. Transfer it to a cutting board and slice it in half, usually diagonally. Serve immediately and enjoy!
⏱️ 2 min