Hearty Chickpea Stew (Printable Version)

Wholesome Mediterranean chickpea stew with vibrant vegetables, perfect for a satisfying plant-based meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Legumes

01 - 2 cups cooked chickpeas (or 1 can, drained and rinsed)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
05 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 1 zucchini, diced
08 - 1 cup fresh spinach leaves

→ Base & Liquids

09 - 1 can diced tomatoes
10 - 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
11 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Spices & Seasonings

12 - 1 tsp ground cumin
13 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
14 - ½ tsp ground turmeric
15 - ½ tsp ground coriander
16 - ½ tsp black pepper
17 - ¾ tsp salt, or to taste
18 - 1 bay leaf

→ Optional Garnishes

19 - Fresh parsley, chopped
20 - Lemon wedges

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, sliced carrots, celery, and diced red bell pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Add cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, coriander, black pepper, and salt. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add chickpeas, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
05 - Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop flavors.
06 - Add diced zucchini and cook for another 7 minutes until just tender.
07 - Stir in spinach and cook for 2 minutes until wilted. Remove and discard bay leaf.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Its incredibly forgiving, you can add whatever vegetables are languishing in your crisper drawer
  • The spice blend creates this rich, complex flavor that tastes like it simmered all day but comes together in under an hour
  • Its one of those rare dishes that actually tastes better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep
02 -
  • The first few times I made this, I kept adding salt too early. Taste at the very end, after all the liquid has reduced and flavors have concentrated.
  • Do not skip blooming the spices in hot oil, it transforms them from dusty powder to something alive and fragrant.
03 -
  • If you want extra protein, stir in a cup of lentils during the simmering stage
  • A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a gentle warmth that balances the spices perfectly
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