This months recipe redux theme was to create a gut-healthy meal. When I think of gut health, I think of two things: fiber and probiotics. I made roasted broccoli steaks and chickpeas with yogurt sauce. Yogurt is my favorite food-based probiotic, and it makes a delicious, creamy sauce. I choose broccoli and chickpeas because they have two different types of fiber that are both great for gut health- more on this later. Finally, to make it a full meal, I plated the roasted broccoli and chickpeas over barley!
There are a few different types of fiber to consider when thinking about gut health. Cellulose is the tough fiber found in the stalks of veggies like broccoli, cabbage, or Brussels sprouts, that our microbes love to nom on. Fructans are types of fiber high in prebiotics, found in foods like legumes (beans and chickpeas) and artichokes. Prebiotics nourish the good bacteria in your gut and keep them healthy! You’ll find a little bit of everything in this recipe to keep your gut on the right track.
Tips and Tricks for the roasted broccoli steaks and chickpeas with yogurt sauce recipe:
- I chose barley because it’s higher in fiber than other grains. You can use whatever grain you have on hand.
- I cut the broccoli into steaks for presentation of the recipe. If you struggle to cut the steaks, you can always simply roast florets and stem pieces.
- The chickpeas get crunchy when roasted, and this also means they dry out. If they are too dry for you, try making extra yogurt sauce to add moisture to the dish.
- 1 head of broccoli, about 12 oz
- 2 TBS olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ tsp each: salt, black pepper, red pepper flake
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas
- 1 tsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp each: onion powder, garlic powder,
- ⅛ tsp each: salt, black pepper, paprika
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ tsp red wine vinegar
- Pinch salt and pepper
- 1½ cups cooked pearled barley
- Preheat oven to 425 F.
- Cut broccoli head in half. Slice off the side of each half to create a ½ inch steak. Combine the 2 steaks, and the remaining florets in a large bowl.
- Whisk together olive oil, garlic, and broccoli seasonings. Pour over broccoli and toss until well coated. Transfer broccoli to a parchment lined baking sheet. Arrange using about ⅔ of the sheet so that the broccoli is not touching.
- Roll chickpeas between 2 pieces of paper towel to get them as dry as possible. Toss with olive oil.
- Transfer chickpeas to the remaining third of the parchment lined baking sheet. Bake the chickpeas and broccoli in the oven for 10 minutes. Flip broccoli and toss chickpeas, and roast 10 more minutes.
- Immediately when the chickpeas come out of the oven toss them with the spices in a medium bowl.
- Meanwhile, combine all ingredients for the yogurt sauce. Set aside.
- Place ¾ cup barley on 2 plates. Top with chickpeas, a broccoli steak, and a few florets. Serve with yogurt sauce.
This looks amazing! Great way to get out of a dinner rut!
The broccoli is so good, it would make a great side as well! Thanks Karman!
Alison, you always make veggies look incredible. You’re right about the broccoli, it is addicting roasted.
Thank you! I LOVE roasted broccoli, especially with plenty of garlic. So good!
This looks great!!
Thank you! The broccoli is so good, it’s a must try!