Sensational Chickpea Stew
An Inspired Fusion of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Cuisine
Aug 11, 2009
Chickpeas have formed part of the staple diet of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries for thousands of years and are often used as a basic and cheap ingredient for stews.
However, cheap doesn’t necessarily mean lesser quality. This recipe introduces a hearty Middle Eastern stew to the aromatic flavours of the Mediterranean to create a sensation of tastes which is almost certain to result in love at first bite.
Chickpeas and bacon is a classic combination. Add the nuttiness of celery, the fragrance of thyme and bay leaves and the spicy cheekiness of a hot chilli and a run of the mill stew is given a zesty makover. It's a prefect dish for both warming up a chilly winter evening and acting as a sultry compliment to a hot summer night.
It might be a one pot wonder, but its flavours will transport diners on a culinary voyage which evokes sensations ranging from crossing hot Saharan sands to relaxing on the scented shores of a Greek beach lapped by azure waters.
Ingredients for Sensational Chickpea Stew
- 2 cups cooked chickpeas
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 rashers of streaky bacon
- 3 tbsp of finely chopped onion
- 2 medium tomatoes, deseeded and finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 carrot diced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 carrot diced
- 300 ml of vegetable stock
- 1 hot green chilli finely chopped (optional)
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
For two people
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Preparation of Sensational Chickpea Stew
- Fry the onions in the olive oil in a heavy bottomed saucepan for 3 to 4 minutes until golden.
- Add the chopped garlic and stir for 30 seconds.
- Add the bacon and stir for another 3 minutes.
- Mix in all the other ingredients and enough of the vegetable stock so that it is on a level, but not covering, the chickpeas.
- Bring to the boil, cover and turn the heat to low.
- Simmer for 40 minutes adding more stock if the liquid in the pan drops below the level of the chickpeas.
- Remove the bay leaves and serve the stew in bowls accompanied by some fresh crusty bread for mopping up all those savoury juices.
This recipe doesn’t only taste fabulous, the aromas created during cooking are enough to drive dinner guests wild with anticipation. Thankfully the finished dish exceeds expectations.
Cooking Tips:
- To create a delicious vegetarian version of sensational chickpea stew, simply leave out the bacon.
- Forget the chilli, if a less piquant stew appeals more.
- To add a little Mediterranean touch, place a bay leaf on top of each bowl of stew when serving.
 |
 |
 |
