Monday 10 October 2011

Spicy Chick Peas

This is more of a method than a recipe and can be varied greatly, depending on what you have at hand. You could use beans instead of chick peas and any variety of vegetable that is in season. It is a very quick, frugal and nourishing meal when served with brown rice from the fridge.


You'll need....

a chopped onion
2 crushed garlic cloves
6 teaspoons of Moroccan spice mix(or curry powder)
1 x 450gm can of chick peas(garbanzos)
1 x 450gm can of chopped tomatoes
1 cup of chopped zucchini....here you could use any fast cooking or pre-cooked vegetable. even frozen vegetables
handful of currants(or any other dried fruit)
pinch of dried chilli flakes(optional)

Gently fry the onion and then the garlic in about 2T oil
Stir in the spices and stir fry for at least 2 minutes to release all their flavour
Mix in the chick peas, tomatoes and vegies and stir well ( I put about 1/4 cup of water into the tomato tin to wash out the last of the tomato juice and dilute the dish a little)
Cook for about 20 minutes or until the vegies are tender, check to see if it needs salt or pepper.


You could serve it with lemon or lime juice, harissa paste or preserved lemon on a bed or rice or couscous, over cooked potatoes or pasta.

I know I remarked to Ruth(Mrs W) yesterday that generally curries made with the individual spices are better than dishes made using curry powder but when I saw the Moroccan spice mix in Perth on Saturday it looked so fresh that I bought about 3 tablespoons....I tasted it on the train on the way home and it was really good...quite salty though...so I was really looking forward to making this dish.

We're off to Fremantle Hospital yet again today for Joe to see the Oral Surgeon, or vice versa. I'll make the most of the trip to buy some nice fresh vegetables at one of the big Italian owned greengrocers shops near the hospital.

What are your plans for the day? I do hope you enjoy the day very much...time is very precious.

Love from Sue
xx

3 comments:

  1. This sounds like a good recipe Sue, thank you for sharing...

    Not many plans for today, I am taking it easy after a busy weekend and a house full of visitors. Down to Adelaide on Wednesday afternoon for my appointment at the breast clinic...getting a little nervous now.

    Hope all went well at the Oral Surgeon for Joe.

    Have a great day!

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  2. Six teaspoons Sue? Really? I just want to be sure.

    I'm spring cleaning, picking up a few items from the shops, taking Mum to an appointment, cooking your date and walnut cake, making a roast for tea.

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  3. Yes Rose I used 6...it's not a hot chilli mix so you may have to do a taste test first....it's also nice with 2 tsps each of cumin and coriander and a pinch of turmeric. Your day sounds very satisfying to me.

    AAh Tania...the breast clinic...my turn last year and I was a basket case...for nothing in the end but that doesn't help at the time. I do hope very much that you can relax and that you have good news after your visit. How is your shoulder now? xxx

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