Mediterranean Spinach Chickpea Stew
This spinach chickpea stew turns a bag of frozen spinach and some chickpeas into a wholesome one-pot dinner to feed a crowd! There are variations of this spinach stew recipe with tomatoes throughout the Mediterranean and the Middle East. My mom made her spinach stew, Egyptian-style using lean ground beef, but I opted for a vegan option, which is just as hearty and satisfying, thanks to chickpeas!
- Prep time
- 20 min
- Cook time
- 35 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion ((finely chopped))
- 4 garlic cloves ((minced))
- kosher salt
- 1 cup san Marzano tomatoes ((with their juices))
- 2 cups chicken broth ((or vegetable broth))
- 1 pound frozen spinach ((chopped))
- 15 ounces canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup fresh parsley ((chopped))
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- black pepper
- 1/2 cup broken vermicelli noodles ((or orzo))
- 1 lemon ((juice of))
Instructions
- 1
In a large pot, heat ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onions and garlic and cook, tossing regularly, for 3 to 5 minutes or until softened.
- 2
Add the tomatoes, spinach, chickpeas, and chicken broth. Add the parsley and season with a good dash of kosher salt and black pepper. Stir in the spices.
- 3
Bring to a boil of medium-high, then turn the heat down to low and cover partway, leaving part of the top open. Allow the spinach to simmer for 25 minutes over low heat, stirring occasionally.
- 4
While the spinach stew is simmering, toast the vermicelli. In a small pan, heat about 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high. Add the vermicelli and continuously stir to toast it evenly. Vermicelli should turn a nice golden brown, but watch carefully not to over-brown or burn. Remove from heat.
- 5
Stir in the toasted vermicelli in the spinach stew and cook for another 10 minutes or until the vermicelli noodles are cooked to tender.
- 6
Remove from the heat and finish with lemon juice and a good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.