Imagine the aroma of spices wafting through your kitchen as you prepare a comforting chickpea stew.
This simple, yet satisfying dish is a Mediterranean favorite, perfect for a cozy dinner at home.
As the cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika meld with tender chickpeas and fresh spinach, you’ll witness the transformation of humble ingredients into a hearty meal.
Let’s bring this delicious stew to life and enjoy its warmth together.
Kitchen Tools Required
- 1 large pot
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 knife
- 1 cutting board
- 1 measuring cup
- 1 can opener
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Cook & Prep Time
To efficiently manage your time while preparing and cooking the Chickpea Stew, follow this timeline:
- Reading Time (5 minutes)
- Before you begin, take a few minutes to read through the entire recipe and instructions to familiarize yourself with the steps and ingredients required.
- Prep Work (15 minutes)
- Gather all your equipment and ingredients.
- Chop the onion and mince the garlic.
- Roughly chop the spinach.
- Open the cans of diced tomatoes and chickpeas and drain the chickpeas.
- Measure out all the spices and lemon juice.
- Cooking Time (45 minutes)
- 0-5 minutes: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
- 5-6 minutes: Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- 6-7 minutes: Add ground cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 7-10 minutes: Pour in diced tomatoes and bring to a simmer.
- 10-15 minutes: Add chickpeas and vegetable broth, stirring to combine. Season with salt and black pepper.
- 15-45 minutes: Cover the pot and let simmer for 30 minutes.
- 45-50 minutes: Stir in chopped spinach and cook for 5 minutes until wilted.
- 50 minutes: Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.
- Resting Time (10 minutes)
- Allow the stew to rest for 10 minutes before serving, which will help the flavors meld together.
During the resting time, you can set the table or prepare any sides like crusty bread or rice to accompany the stew.
Adjust as needed based on your pace and any additional garnishes you might want to add.
Recipe Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent.
Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
Add ground cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in diced tomatoes and bring to a simmer.
Add chickpeas and vegetable broth, stirring to combine.
Season with salt and black pepper.
Cover the pot and let simmer for 30 minutes.
Stir in chopped spinach and cook for 5 minutes until wilted.
Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.
Allow stew to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Serving Tips
- Crusty Bread: Perfect for soaking up the flavorful broth and adds a satisfying crunch.
- Brown Rice: Complements the stew with its nutty flavor and adds a hearty base.
- Quinoa: Offers a protein boost while maintaining the dish’s light, healthy profile.
- Cauliflower Rice: A low-carb option that pairs well with the stew’s Mediterranean flavors.
- Couscous: Absorbs the rich flavors of the stew and adds a delightful texture.
Storage
Store chickpea stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat thoroughly before serving.
Freezing
To freeze chickpea stew, let it cool completely.
Then transfer to airtight containers. Leave space for expansion.
Label with the date, and freeze for up to three months.
Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
To reheat chickpea stew, warm slowly on the stovetop over low heat.
Stir occasionally.
Alternatively, microwave in a covered dish.
Stir halfway through until heated evenly.
Avoid overheating to maintain texture.
Final Thoughts
Chickpea stew is a delightful and hearty dish that embodies the essence of Mediterranean cuisine.
Its rich flavors and aromatic spices make it a comforting meal any day of the week.
Preparing it a day in advance can enhance its taste, as the flavors develop overnight.
This versatile stew can easily be adjusted to suit your spice preference, whether you want more heat or a burst of freshness.
Serving it with crusty bread or over a bed of rice makes for a complete and satisfying meal.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, this chickpea stew is simple yet impressive.
Its ease of preparation combined with its delightful taste makes it a perfect choice for any occasion.
Enjoy every spoonful of this delicious stew.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Dried Chickpeas Instead of Canned Ones?
You can use dried chickpeas, but you’ll need to soak them overnight and cook them separately until tender. This adds time, but their fresh, nutty flavor enhances the dish beautifully. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Is It Possible to Make This Stew in a Slow Cooker?
Yes, you can make this stew in a slow cooker. Sauté the onions, garlic, and spices first, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, adding spinach near the end.
What Are Some Suitable Substitutes for Fresh Spinach?
You can swap fresh spinach with kale, Swiss chard, or collard greens. These greens hold up well when cooked, adding a hearty texture. For a milder taste, try using arugula or even frozen spinach for convenience.
How Can I Make This Stew Gluten-Free?
To make this stew gluten-free, guarantee all your ingredients are naturally gluten-free and avoid any cross-contamination. Use certified gluten-free vegetable broth. Serve with gluten-free bread or rice to keep it deliciously satisfying.
Can I Add Meat to This Vegetarian Stew?
You can definitely add meat to the stew. Try sautéing diced chicken or beef with the onions. Let it cook fully before adding other ingredients. This adds a hearty, protein-rich twist without compromising the stew’s delicious flavors.
Chickpea Stew
Equipment
- 1 Large pot
- 1 Wooden spoon
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 measuring cup
- 1 can opener
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 3 clove garlic minced
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 2 15-ounce can chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 4 cup vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cup fresh spinach roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Add ground cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in diced tomatoes and bring to a simmer.
- Add chickpeas and vegetable broth, stirring to combine.
- Season with salt and black pepper.
- Cover the pot and let simmer for 30 minutes.
- Stir in chopped spinach and cook for 5 minutes until wilted.
- Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.
- Allow stew to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
