The Saturday Simmer: Meatless chickpea stew recipes
Although I love hummus, I don't actually love chickpeas. However, when added to soups and stews, chickpeas plump up with the flavors of whatever liquid they're swimming in, and when they've absorbed a rich mix of spices and sauces, that's when I start to fall in love. Chickpeas, which add great texture to stews like this Tunisian vegetable ragout with quinoa from FatFree Vegan Kitchen, also pack a lot of nutritional punch; they're full of fiber, and might help to control cholesterol and blood sugar levels. And the good news is that convenient canned chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans) are the way to go, as very little nutritional value is lost in the canning process, and cooking chickpeas from scratch can take a long time.
Crockpot chickpea stew with balsamic caramelized onions, from Cookin' Canuck
Crockpot chickpea, butternut squash and red lentil stew, from Eat Live Run
Harissa chickpea stew, from A Cozy Kitchen
Tunisian vegetable ragout with couscous, from FatFree Vegan Kitchen
Spicy red lentil and chickpea stew, from Kalyn's Kitchen
Vegan butternut squash and chickpea stew, from The Perfect Pantry
Saffron chickpea stew with grilled porcini mushrooms, from Herbivoracious
Curried vegetable and chickpea stew, from The Kitchn
Chickpea stew with six vegetables, from Cooking without a Net
Cauliflower and chickpea stew with couscous, from Smith & Ratliff
North African inspired tomato, chickpea and spinach stew, from Haystacks & Champagne
Which will you try first? What intrigues you? Please leave feedback on the original recipe post, and let us know if you've made or adapted any of these recipes. See you next Saturday, and every Saturday, with more soups, stews and chili.
[All photos used with permission.]
One of my favorite ingredients!
Kalyn, I'm learning to love chickpeas.
Great list! Re canned vs home cooked beans: since I got a good pressure cooker, home cooked beans are a snap. No can to recycle, no fear of toxic can linings, no added sodium...