Cook this delicious Moroccan chickpea spinach stew
Moroccan Chickpea Spinach Stew is a vibrant, flavorful dish that captures the essence of Moroccan cuisine. It blends spices, vegetables, and legumes for a hearty, nutritious meal. This vegetarian and eggless stew is rich in proteins and vitamins, reflecting Morocco's love for colorful, spice-infused food. Dive into the culinary traditions of Morocco with this dish. Let's get cooking.
Gather the following ingredients
To make this stew, you need one tablespoon olive oil, one large onion (chopped), two garlic cloves (minced), one teaspoon ground cumin, half a teaspoon cinnamon, one-fourth teaspoon ground ginger, two 15-ounce cans chickpeas (drained, rinsed), a 14-ounce can diced tomatoes (with juice), three cups vegetable broth, one cup frozen spinach (thawed), salt to taste, and freshly ground black pepper.
Preparing the base
Begin by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, cooking until it becomes translucent, about five minutes. Next, stir in the minced garlic, letting it cook for another minute to release its fragrance. This crucial step establishes the aromatic foundation our stew will build upon, setting the stage for the flavors to come.
Adding spices and legumes
Sprinkle in the ground cumin, cinnamon, and ginger into the pot with onions and garlic. Stir well to combine these spices with the base ingredients for about two minutes; this process helps release their flavors into the oil. Next, add in your drained chickpeas along with diced tomatoes (including their juice). Mix everything thoroughly to ensure that all components are well-coated with spices.
Incorporating liquids
Pour three cups of vegetable broth into the pot with the chickpeas and tomatoes. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce it to simmer uncovered. Allow it to cook for about 20 minutes or until slightly thickened. This step is essential as it allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, enhancing the overall taste of the stew.
Adding greens
Finally, stir in the thawed spinach until it is fully incorporated into the stew. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your taste preferences. Allow the mixture to simmer for an additional five minutes. This simmering time allows the spinach leaves to wilt just enough, ensuring they retain some of their texture, which enhances the stew's overall flavor and consistency.
