Leahs Moorish Style Chickpea And Spinach Stew Recipes

MOROCCAN CHICKPEA AND SPINACH STEW

Steps:

• Place chickpeas and cumin in large saucepan.
• Add enough water to barely cover chickpeas. Set aside.
• Saute garlic in olive oil in small pan over medium to low heat.
• Remove garlic when browned, about 3 minutes.
• Set aside.
• Toast bread until golden in same pan about one minute per side.
• Remove bread and turn off heat.
• Add paprika and saffron, followed immediately by vinegar to keep paprika from burning.
• Pound garlic and browned bread in a mortar or glass bowl to make a thick paste.
• Bring chickpeas to a low boil, then add spinach, and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add paprika-saffron mixture and garlic bread paste to create a thick stew.
• Simmer for 5 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

CHICKPEA AND SPINACH STEW

Steps:

• Pour the water into a large deep skillet and bring to a boil.
• Add the spinach leaves and cook over high heat, tossing frequently, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Drain the spinach in a colander, pressing hard on the leaves to extract the liquid. Coarsely chop the spinach.
• Using the flat side of a large knife, mash the garlic to a paste with salt and saffron. Transfer the garlic paste to a small bowl. Add the paprika, cumin, cloves and black pepper and mash until combined. Stir in 1/4 cup of the chickpea liquid.
• Wipe out the skillet. Add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil to the skillet and heat until shimmering. Add the onion and tomato and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until they are softened, about 3 minutes. Add the spiced garlic sauce to the onion and tomato in the skillet and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the chickpeas and the remaining liquid to the skillet. Add the raisins and bring to a boil over moderately high heat. Add the spinach, reduce the heat to moderate, and simmer for 15 minutes. Transfer the chickpea stew to 4 deep bowls, drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil on top, and serve.