Meatless Monday: Spinach Artichoke Chickpea Casserole

When people ask "how do you get enough protein?" .... I now want to show them this recipe.

Did you know that spinach, brown rice, and especially chickpeas are packed with protein???

1 medium onion diced
4 cloves of garlic (or if you cook like me - as much as you flipping want, honey!)
1/2 tsp of sea salt (I left this out because there's enough flavor in this IMO)
Ground pepper (just a smidge to taste)
1/2 tsp chili flakes (I might have added a little more than that but that's how I roll)
1.5 tsp dried rosemary
1.5 tsp dried thyme
1 cup artichokes in brine, drained and chopped (I just got a can of artichoke hearts at Trader Joe's and cut those babies up)
6 cups of chopped spinach
3 cups cooked chick peas (I just realized I only used 1 can for mine and it was totally fine, this calls for two); drain and rinse of course
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar (see my explanation for garlic)
2 tbsp freshy squeezed lemon juice (and then throw those peels in your garbage disposal to keep her smelling freshhhhh!)
Parmesan cheese (I skipped this part - but I hear TJ's has a great Vegan version that I'll have to try next time)
1/2 Mayo (I have a great Vegan one from TJ's that I used)
1/2 cup fresh basil or parsley (I went with parsley)
1 additional garlic clove (you'll see why below)
1 additional tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice (just waaaait)

And here are your instructions:

Cook your rice (I did 1.25 cups)
While those beauts are cooking (I would maybe wait til your rice is almost done actually), get out a skillet, throw some olive oil in it and warm it over medium'ish heat.
Throw in your onion, garlic, and salt (if you choose).... and brown up them onions
Add all of your spices (besides the basil/parsley), artichokes, spinach, chick peas, balsamic, and lemon juice.
Add in your brown rice once it's done cooking
Preheat the oven to 350, and put all of the ingredients into a greased 9x13 dish (top with cheese if you would like)
Bake for 20 minutes

Time for the aioli - my fav!!!

Throw your 1/2 cup mayo, 1/2 cup basil/parsley (I honestly probably used more like 1/4 cup), 1 garlic clove, and 1 tbsp lemon juice in a bowl to drizzle over later

Here's the finished meal!

First bite - I honestly wasn't so sure ... but then BAM! I became obsessed! This is so delicious, and now I'm set for lunches this week at work!

Shanna