Chickpea and Spinach Stew
I got home early the other day (after a pre-dawn start to do Canada AM!) and sat on the living room floor, goofing around with Julian and watched Oprah. Luxury! It was her Vegan Challenge episode, did you see it? Michael Pollan and Kathy Freston were on discussing North Americans’ over dependence of meat and meat products in and the insane consequences for our health and the environment. They also got a very rare look inside a major US slaughter house. If you’ve never seen it – and most people haven’t – and you eat meat, you really should. Cargill – the slaughter house they showed – is one of the best and they follow the most humane practices and yet it’s still hard to watch. (Hang in there, this is going to end with a recipe you’ll want. I swear.)
photo by Maya Visnyei
I think I’ve mentioned before that I grew up on a small farm and was naive for many years about the realities of commercial farming. It’s so important to me to know where our meat comes from, what the animals are fed, how they’re treated and slaughtered. We eat meat but we pay more to buy better quality meat we can feel good about. But I’m also constantly trying to come up with meatless meals. I hate the idea that it doesn’t feel like a meal unless there’s meat on the plate, you know? I was glad that I’d already planned a chickpea stew for that night’s dinner! This is a meal that Ben makes regularly and I’ve often thought the kids were more open to it because it’s dad’s dinner. But lo and behold, they ate my version, too! It’s really easy, delicious and tastes even better the next day.
I love this stew served over brown basmati rice and a little dollop of plain yogurt on top. It’s also good with grilled naan bread. I like that, too, but we don’t seem to be able to make it without setting off the fire alarm.
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We're Ceri and Laura, a couple of magazine-editors-turned-food-bloggers. Also, we're mothers obsessed with delicious, healthy, family food. We're constantly thinking of ways to make your time (and our own!) in the kitchen easier and more productive, but still nostalgic for the days when dinner was cereal eaten over the kitchen sink.
16 Comments
Louise
February 03, 07:29Thanks for the recipe. My son is a vegetarian for the exact reasons that you site in this article. Last year I watched FOOD INC. and was astounded and horrified on how our food/meat is produced. I have been trying to find local, free range, grass fed beef, chicken and pork. Not easy to find and expensive. My son will be home this weekend for two months and this recipe is going on the menu for sure!
Ceri Marsh
February 03, 07:33I’m so glad! Where do you live? I agree – it’s not always easy to find the food we’d be more comfortable serving. Particularly at some of the big grocery stores. I confess I’ve been putting off seeing Food Inc as I’m sure it’s traumatizing. But I’m going to make myself.
Let me know what your family thinks of this dish – I hope it’s a hit! And we’ll keep the vegetarian options coming!
Thank so much for getting in touch,
Ceri
Tweets that mention One-Pot Week: Chickpea and Spinach Stew – Sweet Potato Chronicles -- Topsy.com
February 03, 07:43[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Carly Rigby, Ceri Marsh. Ceri Marsh said: One-pot (veggie) wonder! Delish chickpea spinach stew. http://bit.ly/hEKTLm […]
Natalee
February 03, 07:50I’ll definitelt try this it looks delish. A friend of mine who worked at a ver good butcher shop in Calgary once told me that knowing what he knows now about the industry he would only get his meat from a proper butcher or from Costco. I guess they have good practises at Costco.We later met anotehr butcher who said the same thing.
Dianne
February 03, 09:32I made a spinach, potato, chickpea casserole earlier this week. I think I’ll add the tomaotes and the spices you have listed here to the leftovers and have a similar stew. Thanks for the inspiration.
Vanessa
February 03, 16:01Looks delicious AND gluten- egg- and (sans yogurt) dairy-free. Basically, the perfect meal for just about any dietary issue!
Ceri Marsh
February 03, 17:28Hmmm…. looks like need to do some more vegetarian recipes. So good to get your feedback, guys!
boo
February 04, 12:26Nice…how would it work without garlic? I can’t stand garlic.
Ceri Marsh
February 04, 15:30Hi Boo,
I can’t imagine a life without garlic! But I’m sure the recipe would be fine without it – the ginger is more dominant in the recipe anyway. Let me know how it goes!
Natalee
February 04, 20:42I’m provegetarian recipes but maybe also some without tomatoes because I have a few friends I love who have tomato allergies and I cook with tomatoes all the time so I am often at a loss. Hmm do I still have a Moosewood cookbook?
Taste T.O. – Food & Drink In Toronto » What’s Cooking – Saturday, February 5th, 2011
February 05, 13:33[…] you need a break from all the meat, chickpea spinach stew is healthy and hearty. [Sweet Potato […]
lp
February 06, 22:12Hey Natalee, I’m on a elimination diet right now (which means no tomatoes) so I had the same question. I just made this with 1 medium eggplant, cubed, and 1/2 tsp of curry powder instead of the tomatoes and it was pretty good!
Regan
February 08, 13:57Love this recipe. So easy to make (I cooked it while cooking a roast chicken dinner), so yummy, healthy and perfect for lunch. I added peas for additional veggies. And mango chutney on the side for a hint of sweetness. You could add any veggie to this – swap chickpeas for potatoes/sweet potatoes.
Roundup: Have you had your spinach today? - Sweet Potato Chronicles
April 27, 07:47[…] and Spinach Stew http://www.laurak24.sg-host.com/wordpress/2011/02/one-pot-week-chickpea-and-spinach-stew/ is a hearty, weekend must. […]
Lisa
October 07, 09:55Just made a big batch so I’ve got healthy suppers for the week. Added extra cherry tomatoes, 4 tbsps red lentils and chilli flakes and chilli powder. Going to serve with a chunk of crusty bread 🙂
Ceri Marsh
October 07, 10:08Yum! Adding lentils is a great idea, Lisa. Hope your crew loves it!