Easy Chickpea Appetizer

This chickpea appetizer is easy and great to make for a dinner party. The fresh roma tomatoes perfectly balance the hearty taste of the spread. Chickpeas are a great source of iron and protein, which is something that many vegetarians lack in their diet. This dish is a great way to use chickpeas in an appealing way!

Ingredients:
1 sheet of frozen puff pastry
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 can of chickpeas, drained and washed
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
2-3 dashes of hot sauce
pinch of paprika
salt and pepper to taste
fresh mozzarella, cut into thin small squares
1 fresh roma tomato
thyme sprigs, chopped finely

Directions: While the puff pastry is thawing according to package directions, prepare the chickpea spread. Either mash using a masher or use a food processor. I mashed the chickpeas by hand because I like the texture. So, mash the chickpeas, oil, cumin, lemon juice, hot sauce, paprika, salt and pepper together. Adjust the salt according to taste. Chop the roma tomato, mozzarella, and thyme and set aside. Let the chickpea spread sit and also preheat the oven to 350 degrees until the pastry is done thawing. Then, cut the puff pastry into squares of any size you prefer. Spread the chickpea 'filling' on each square and sprinkle the thyme leaves on. Place the squares on a sheet pan and put in oven for 15-20 minutes or until slight golden around edges. After taking the appetizer out of the oven, place a mozzarella slice and roma tomato on each one. Serve immediately while still hot and crispy.

Oxo Good Grips Smooth Potato Masher   (works for the chickpeas as well!)