Turbo Tunisian Chickpea Stew
A vibrant, quick-cooking North African stew featuring tender chickpeas, aromatic spices, and fresh vegetables in a rich tomato base. This streamlined ...
4
Tunisian Cuisine
🔵Easy★★☆☆☆
May 30, 2025
25 views
Ingredients
🥬
4 cups
baby spinach
loosely packed
🥩
2 15-oz cans
canned chickpeas
drained and rinsed
🫒
3 tablespoons
olive oil
🥬
4 cloves
garlic
minced
📦
1/2 cup
fresh cilantro
roughly chopped
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1 large
yellow onion
finely diced
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1/2 teaspoon
black pepper
freshly ground
🍎
2 tablespoons
lemon juice
freshly squeezed
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1 28-oz can
crushed tomatoes
🌶️
1 teaspoon
kosher salt
🌶️
2 teaspoons
ground cumin
💧
2 cups
vegetable broth
🌶️
1 teaspoon
ground coriander
📦
2 tablespoons
harissa paste
adjust to taste
Categories:🥩protein🥬vegetable🍎fruit🌾grain🥛dairy🌶️spice🫒oil💧liquid📦other
Instructions
Step 1
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add yellow onion and cook for 5-6 minutes until softened and beginning to caramelize at the edges, stirring occasionally.
Step 2
Add garlic, ground cumin, and ground coriander to the pot. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent the spices from burning and becoming bitter.
Step 3
Stir in harissa paste and cook for 30 seconds to bloom its flavors. The oil should take on a deep red color and become very aromatic.
Step 4
Add canned chickpeas, crushed tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced and thickened slightly.
Step 5
Fold in baby spinach in batches, allowing each addition to wilt before adding more. This should take about 2-3 minutes total.
Step 6
Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice, fresh cilantro, kosher salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed - the stew should be bright and well-balanced.
✨Chef's Tips
- ★For maximum flavor development, lightly smash about 1/4 of the chickpeas with the back of a wooden spoon against the pot's side. This releases their natural starches and helps thicken the stew while creating textural contrast.
- ★If harissa paste is unavailable, substitute with 1 tablespoon tomato paste plus 1 teaspoon each of cayenne pepper and smoked paprika to achieve a similar depth of flavor.
- ★To make this dish ahead, prepare everything except the spinach and cilantro. When reheating, add these fresh ingredients just before serving to maintain their vibrant color and texture.
- ★For an authentic touch, serve with a dollop of thick yogurt and warm flatbread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
quickvegetarianstewMediterraneanNorth Africanhealthydinnerone-pot