We’ve just spent an evening with friends, gladly sharing stories of the holidays and New Year’s resolutions. Even in light of the cynicism around this time of year (just how long are you REALLY going to go to the gym every morning?), I still find the New Year to be a useful time to reflect on the old, and look forward to the new.
This year, instead of beating ourselves up about what we’re not doing, we’re setting intention for what we want to do. We also have been pondering why we do what we do.
We’ve been thinking about this blog, and about what is our driving passion. It’s not just about taking great food photos or creating tasty recipes — for us, it’s about the connection between food, your health, community, and the world – and the way that your life can be transformed by cooking. So this year, we’re pondering new ways to explore this and inspire people to get in the kitchen! More on that to come.
Speaking of the kitchen, this recipe is a great place to start. It’s fairly simple to put together, and the stew tastes exotic and fresh – full of cumin, ginger, a bit of cinnamon, and topped with fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lemon and a touch of Greek yogurt. We prepared this as a meal to take to friends who had just had their second child – and they gave their seal of approval as well! Serve it with rice or quinoa.
Enjoy, and here’s to a year of intention.
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Moroccan Chickpea and Sweet Potato Stew
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Yield: 4 to 6
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Pin RecipeIngredients
- 2 cups uncooked quinoa
- 1 large onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 large sweet potatoes (about 1 ¾ pounds)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 pinches cayenne pepper
- 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 15 ounce can chickpeas, drained (or 1 1/2 cups cooked)
- 3 cups spinach
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
- 1 lemon, for garnish
- 1 cup Greek yogurt, for garnish
Instructions
- Make the quinoa.
- Dice the onion and mince 3 cloves garlic. Chop the sweet potatoes into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil. Saute the onion for about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and saute about 1 minute.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon ground coriander, ½ teaspoon turmeric, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, and 2 pinches cayenne pepper. Stir about 30 seconds, then add diced tomatoes and 2 cups broth.
- Bring to a boil, then add sweet potatoes and drained and rinsed chickpeas. Simmer 25 to 30 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Stir in 3 cups spinach in the last 2 minutes.
- Serve garnished with chopped cilantro, fresh squeezed lemon juice, and a dollop of Greek yogurt.
Notes
Inspired by a combination of Naturally Ella and The Daily Dish
53 Comments
Courtney Jones
January 9, 2013 at 12:03 amYum! I love Moroccan food. This looks fantastic. I’ll definitely be making this over the weekend.
Kathryn
January 9, 2013 at 4:57 amI love the idea of a year of intention – I’ve seen several people talking about the idea and it makes so much more sense to me than empty resolutions. I look forward to seeing where your intentions take you this year!
Sonja
January 13, 2013 at 8:28 pmThanks, Kathryn! We so appreciate your support — and look forward to seeing how intentions play out for you this year as well!
Erin
January 9, 2013 at 10:32 amI must be having a slow day, when I clicked on this recipe I was like, “huh, I think I’ve eaten something like this before….” And then I saw the recipe ;)
Looks lovely and I could totally go for a bowl of this right now!
Sonja
January 13, 2013 at 8:29 pmHaha — yes, thanks for the inspiration, Erin! It’s one of our new faves :)
Brooke (The Flour Sack)
January 9, 2013 at 11:25 amThis looks so wonderful! I can’t wait to make it asap. Thanks for sharing!
Suzanne
January 9, 2013 at 12:09 pmIt’s amazing how some spices can change your basic sweet potato. So yummy and I love the high protein quinoa with the stew.
Brandi
January 9, 2013 at 2:15 pmThis looks wonderful! I’ve cut out legumes, so I may need to omit the chickpeas but everything looks great. I love all the spices you used in it.
Sonja
January 13, 2013 at 8:31 pmThanks! We tried a version taking out a few of the spices, but it seems that they are all essential! :) Hope you enjoy it!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
January 9, 2013 at 3:49 pmWhat a fabulous recipe! So hearty and healthy :)
Eileen
January 9, 2013 at 6:09 pmThis looks so good! Chickpea and sweet potato is such a homey, earthy combination. :) Hooray for intention, and happy new year!
Melanie @ Just Some Salt and Pepper
January 9, 2013 at 11:05 pmMmm…I normally make my sweet potatoes the same way, either mashed or oven roasted. I always forget there are other ways to make it. Sounds yummy!
Sonja
January 13, 2013 at 8:32 pmWe’re huge roasting fans as well! I’d do it that way every time, but I suppose it’s good to have a few other methods :)
Cookie and Kate
January 10, 2013 at 11:57 amI’m so glad your holidays have been full of friends and happy moments. This stew looks and sounds incredible! Wish I could have a bowlful for lunch today.
Alex
January 13, 2013 at 1:31 pmThanks! It’s a perfect wintry meal — you should try it :)
Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum
January 12, 2013 at 4:24 amYou guys, this is amazing. Recipe, photo, your intentionality with your blog, everything. Sweet potatoes are at the top of my most-missed foods list! We have purple ones, but they’re not the same. Hope you’re well! :)
Alex
January 13, 2013 at 1:34 pmThanks Lindsay! Bummer that there aren’t sweet potatoes in Cebu — not sure how we would manage :) Lentils, I guess…
erin
January 13, 2013 at 12:47 amThis looks absolutely fantastic. I bet it’d be good with chicken, too!
Heidi @ Food Doodles
January 13, 2013 at 4:42 pmMmm! I’ve been wondering about Moroccan flavors lately, I haven’t experimented much with anything Moroccan except a couple dishes. This looks great and the spices sound wonderful! I need to try this out :)
Sonja
January 13, 2013 at 8:35 pmYes, we’re fairly new to Moroccan – but love everything we’ve tried in that style! The spices are great for a comforting feel :)
Ericka
January 13, 2013 at 7:09 pmI made this today and it was delicious! Since I was cooking for a whole week for the family, I added the lemon after the soup cooled rather than as a garnish. I heated it up for dinner and it was perfection!
Sonja
January 13, 2013 at 8:36 pmThanks, Ericka! I’m so glad to hear you tried it out and enjoyed it too. And that it reheated well — that’s always a good test (we like cook for the week all at once too!).
Natalie
January 14, 2013 at 6:47 pmLooks so good! Love moroccan flavors!
Mestebla
January 16, 2013 at 11:39 amI made this for dinner tonight and I loved the flavors! I didn’t have any yogurt, so didn’t add that, but it was still good (although, it would have been good with the yogurt, too). I was worried about how the spinach would be in it, but it actually worked very well. Thanks for such a great recipe!
Sonja
January 18, 2013 at 7:42 pmYou are so welcome! We’re so glad to know it turned out tasty :)
mary beth / annapolis & company
January 18, 2013 at 3:56 amAnything with sweet potatoes makes me weak in the knees…going to be making this for sure! Newest follower…coming from The Fresh Exchange. I love growing my cooking knowledge {going vegetarian this year} and can’t wait to follow along!
Sonja
January 18, 2013 at 7:48 pmSweet potatoes have that effect on us too! I kept thinking that would wear off but I haven’t tired of them yet :) Glad to make the connection — thanks for saying hello!
Amy
January 18, 2013 at 5:57 pmThis looks amazing!! I really want to give this a go! Just wondering if you could tell me how many people this recipe serves? Thanks!! x
Sonja
January 18, 2013 at 7:49 pmOoops, I thought for certain I had included that in the recipe — thanks for letting me know! I would say 4 to 6 servings, and have updated the recipe to match. Thank you!
Pam
January 20, 2013 at 6:57 pmI made this tonight and it was delicious! We didn’t have any plain greek yogurt, so we used sour cream and it was yummy. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe!
Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit
January 22, 2013 at 4:39 pmGreat recipe! I’ll be linking up to it in my post tomorrow :)
Sonja
January 24, 2013 at 10:04 amThanks, Leanne! Your Mediterranean stew looks wonderful!
Alyssa | Queen of Quinoa
January 24, 2013 at 9:17 pmWhat a great recipe! I love moroccan spices flavors and really enjoy that you’ve served it over quinoa rather than rice. Always a preference for me!
I’m hosting a Quinoa link up party on my site, Queen of Quinoa, and would love for you to enter this recipe if you’d like :)
The event is called Thank Goodness It’s Quinoa (TGIQ) and is hosted bi-weekly. You can visit this weekend’s here:
http://www.queenofquinoa.me/2013/01/thank-goodness-its-quinoa-tgiq-2/
Hope to see you there! And thanks for sharing this awesome recipe!
Sonja
January 25, 2013 at 7:07 pmThanks, Alyssa! Happy to hear of your passion for quinoa – we love it too!
Molly
January 26, 2013 at 12:11 pmThis was amazing! Thanks so much for making healthy eating so tasty and fun!
Sonja
January 27, 2013 at 6:47 pmYou are so welcome, Molly – it is our pleasure!
Keerthi
March 24, 2013 at 9:42 pmIt’s been a month but tonight I reheated the leftovers of this amazing stew from the freezer and it was still DELICIOUS :) thanks for a great recipe!
Sonja
April 3, 2013 at 8:48 pmYou are so welcome – so glad you enjoyed it!
Caroline
October 7, 2013 at 10:24 pmThis was fantastic! My hubby said it was one my best dinners!
Sonja
October 9, 2013 at 11:35 pmThanks, Caroline! So glad you liked it!
Julie
December 18, 2013 at 11:14 pmMy entire family loved this! Even my 5, 7 and 9 year old kids gobbled it up! Thank you! We are trying to go vegetarian and finding good recipes like this are helpful!!
Julie
Taylor
February 6, 2014 at 7:46 pmFound this courtesy of the nest feature on stews. Made it for dinner tonight. We just happened to have all ingredients on hand but I decided to use fresh ginger. So delicious. I love the fresh lemon on top. Great favors, very nice warm hearty dish. Thanks!
Melissa French, The More With Less Mom
March 5, 2014 at 5:11 pmI linked to this recipe in my March Real Food Monthly Meal Plan. I love Moroccan flavors and thrifty ingredients.
RJ
June 19, 2014 at 12:31 amMade this recipe tonight, it did not dissappoint. Easy to make and a ton of flavor!!
Aaron
November 17, 2014 at 5:20 pmGreat looking recipe. What did you use for broth? Just fill to cover?
Martin
December 31, 2015 at 3:48 amGreat recipe, loved it. Amazing flavours, loved the cinnamon and ginger in it. I recommend replacing the quinoa though for obvious reasons (ethical, price). I’d replace it for couscous or bulgur. :-)
Christi
January 2, 2016 at 12:19 pmI was just looking for the best way to cook sweet potatoes to add to another recipe I found…. And came across this very well-timed gem. Update: turmeric & black pepper included in your recipe are the new super element. :)
Thank you! I’m going to work on the idea of setting intentions this year instead of stressing over “should-do’s”… And why I do what I do. I hope this new year finds you well and setting and fulfilling intentions.
This recipe looks like a great start and hearty, nourishing and warming- perfect winter dish, even if it does feel like spring in the mid-Atlantic.
Cheers!
Marilyn
January 10, 2016 at 1:27 pmThis has become one of my standby recipes when guests come over. It’s always a hit. Thanks!!!
Lynne
September 19, 2016 at 11:20 pmThis recipe was easy to make and absolutely delicious! Perfect blend of spices. I will definitely make this again.
urbanite
November 17, 2016 at 7:30 pmTried this last night, following the recipe, exactly. It is excellent! I was looking for a vegetarian option for a dinner party. It’s easy with a wonderful balance of flavors. Thank you!
Sonja
November 19, 2016 at 3:49 pmOh wonderful — I’m so glad this was a hit! Thank you for letting us know!!
Ioana
February 17, 2018 at 5:00 amYum. Definitely trying this today!! So healthy and full of flavours.
Sonja
March 14, 2018 at 1:42 pmOh thank you! Let us know how it turned out — we’d love to hear!