A smoky, vibrant, delicious Lebanese Chickpea Stew flavored with the warmth of za'atar is what I have for you today.
This is a weeknight recipe, especially if you're using canned chickpeas, like I did. There is a minimum of chopping required, lots of flavor added by the already-roasted red bell peppers and rich tomato paste, and the je ne sais quoi of the za'atar which is an herb and spice mix I often turn to when I want lots of flavor for little effort.
Lebanese food is not only extremely tasty, but it often uses a rich complement of vegetables and beans which makes it really healthy. Even meat dishes often contain beans or grains. And many dishes, as flavorful they are, can also be uncomplicated to make, requiring a bare minimum of spices and herbs that combine skilfully to give you loads of flavor and oomph.
It's almost impossible to describe the incredible fragrance that wafted through the kitchen and the house as I made this stew. Desi walked in the door sniffing the air, and wolfed down a bowl of rice topped with the stew. "It's very good," he proclaimed.
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Vegan Lebanese Chickpea Stew
Equipment
- Large saucepan
Ingredients
- 30 ounces chickpeas (canned, or cooked at home. Drain before using)
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 2-3 teaspoon za'atar
- 2 leaves bay
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 roasted bell pepper (I used the jarred kind. Chop into ½-inch pieces)
- 2 teaspoon vegetable oil
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoon parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- With a mortar or pestle, or in a food processor, crush the cumin and the garlic together until you have a very coarse paste.
- Heat the oil in a saucepan.
- Add the cumin and garlic mixture and saute a minute or so until it turns fragrant.
- Add the tomato paste, red pepper flakes, and paprika. Saute, stirring frequently, for about two more minutes.
- Add the chickpeas and stir to mix. Add four cups of water, the za'atar, bay leaves and the roasted red pepper. Mix well.
- Once the mixture comes to a boil, lower the heat until it boils gently, and cook for 15 minutes. I like to mash some of the chickpeas with the back of the ladle to thicken the stew slightly.
- Add salt to taste and stir in the parsley. Turn off the heat.
- Serve hot. This is perfect with rice, brown or white. You can also serve with some crusty bread, or some whole wheat pita bread.
krithikap11
Just pinned this to my One Pot Meals Pinterest board. I think I have all the ingredients for this already: bought the za'atar for your eggplant soup.
I don't have any casserole dishes that are oven safe, I'd love to try a baked pasta dish where I use the same dish on the stove for the sauce and move it to the oven with a nice crumb topping. I think the shape will also lend itself to some simple artisan shaped breads.
rusthawk
I shared on pinterest ...and the first thing I would make is Chicken Florentine fettuccine. Thanks! Your recipe sounds delicious, and looks pretty too!
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/225461525073506211/
jane
I can't wait to make this. As for the casserole, I would like to make an eggplant dish that would carmelize on the edges...yum!
Anonymous
Shared on Facebook. I would make vegan grape leaves in this pot- it would be perfect for them!
Stevie Smith
I shared this with Pinterest. I would make this stew which looks delicious and vegan chili!
mirrandy
Hi - Pinned it. This recipe sounds delish! Think the first meal I'd make is one of our favorites, Black Bean & Mushroom soup (loaded with goodies) then topped lime cream, sliced avocado & scallions/jalapeno.
Jean Overby
I shared on Facebook. Would love to try your mujadara with leeks and kale in the casserole!
Kitty
I shared on pinterest. I would make some vegan mushroom pasta casserole in this pan!
Catherine Hess
This looks so yummy for a chilly spring evening! I shared this on Facebook. Of course I would try this chickpea recipe if I had a casserole dish ...but I second Preeya's request for a za'atar recommendation.
chessiepique
I ended up buying za'atar online, and this is my second time making this stew. It's soooo easy and good! Will enjoy it with cornbread this time. Thanks, Vaishali.
LAURA JEANNE HANSEN
I posted on Twitter and would first make this chickpea stew or the African Peanut Stew with Eggplant and Okra. Yum!
Heidi G Thomas
I shared your post on Facebook becuase I ADORE chickpeas, eggplant, and have made several of your recipes. Very easy to make and delicious. I would so enjoy the Frieling casserole dish becuase it's versatile and easy to clean. It would be a heavily used tool! Thank you for all the great recipes!
lani
Aside from posting on pinterest, i am going to make it this weekend. For the casserole,I would make a vegan kitchardi!
Bridget C
I shared on Twitter! Would make this chickpea stew; looks delicious! Thanks!
Angelica
I shared this on Pinterest ! I would cook Tomato Tortellini Soup or just about anything really !
Dana
I shared this post on Pinterest! I love your blog and have yet to try one of your recipes and not love it. The first thing I would make in this lovely pan would undoubtedly be a dal....my recent favorite is a rich, buttery moong dal with ghee, turmeric, and green chilis. I can't wait! Thank you for blogging.
Mary Schnell
I shared this on Pintrest and that giveaway looks like a dream
Preeya
I shared the post on Twitter! There are so many things that I'd love to make-- my SO's vegan seitan xacuti, black pepper kootu, bisibelabath, eggplant caponata, vegan mushroom risotto (with lots of cashew cheese), among other things! 🙂
Also, do you have a brand of zatar that you swear by? I've been buying mine off of Amazon, and it's good but not great.
Vallory Clardy
Oops forgot to say, I would cook my yummy 3 bean chili since it's still cold in April here in the northeast!
Vallory Clardy
Love your blog and just shared your post on Twitter for a chance to win the giveaway! Great posts keep the great cooking up:)
sbroughton61
I shared your post on Pinterest ! I wpuld cook whatever would fit in this pan. I think it would be my "go to" pan when it came to cooking. I would love to have this wonderful cookware.