06/12/2026
Watermelon Carpaccio with Whipped Tahini & Crispy Chickpeas. Thanks to Chef zouheir mokallalati this showstopper is a bite of the summer and the Mediterranean ☀️
✨R E C I P E ✨
INGREDIENTS
🍉The Watermelon
1 small seedless watermelon, sliced paper-thin
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp lime zest
½ tsp flaky sea salt
½ tsp Aleppo chili flakes
• Whipped Tahini Cloud
¾ cup tahini paste
⅓ cup full-fat Greek yogurt
¼ cup ice cold water
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
2 cloves garlic, grated
1 tbsp honey
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp fine sea salt
¼ tsp cracked black pepper
• Crispy Chickpeas
1 can chickpeas, drained and patted dry
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp Aleppo chili flakes
½ tsp flaky sea salt
• Finish
handful fresh torn mint leaves
¼ cup pistachios, crushed
2 tbsp warm honey
1 tsp Aleppo chili flakes
to taste flaky sea salt & cracked black pepper
METHOD
• CRISPY CHICKPEAS
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Toss chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, Aleppo chili, and salt.
Spread in a single layer and roast 35 minutes until shattering golden and crisp.
• WATERMELON
Slice watermelon paper-thin on a mandoline.
Toss gently with lime juice, lime zest, salt, and Aleppo chili for 5 minutes.
Pat dry before plating.
• TAHINI CLOUD
Blend tahini, Greek yogurt, ice water, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, honey, cumin, salt, and pepper until cloud-light and smooth.
• PLATE & FINISH
Fan watermelon slices in overlapping rounds across a wide plate.
Cascade tahini ribbons across, scatter crispy chickpeas and pistachios, crown with mint, drizzle warm honey, and finish with Aleppo chili, salt, and pepper.
Use a mandoline on the thinnest setting for true carpaccio slices — a cut-resistant glove is essential.
Chickpeas can be roasted ahead and kept uncovered at room temp.
Assemble just before serving.
Enjoy 🍉