Chickpea stew with beef - a delicious, nourishing, and comforting recipe, perfect for cooler days or moments when you want to indulge in a dish full of flavor. This dish combines simple yet flavorful ingredients to create a main course that will warm your soul and bring a smile to your face.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Recipe history
Chickpea stew with beef has deep roots in the culinary traditions of many cultures. Chickpeas, a versatile and nutritious ingredient, have been cultivated for thousands of years, appreciated not only for their taste but also for their nutritional benefits. Combined with beef, this dish becomes a perfect choice for a complete meal, rich in protein and fiber.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of chickpeas (about 400 g)
- 2 medium carrots
- 1 piece of beef (about 400 g)
- 1½ onion (about 150 g)
- ½ cup olive oil (about 125 ml)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 hot pepper (preferably a mildly spicy variety, such as green)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Cumin, to taste
- Thyme, to taste
- A small piece of ginger (about 2 cm)
- 2-3 garlic cloves
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Ingredient details
Chickpeas are an excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, and minerals, positively impacting digestion. Beef provides a significant amount of protein and iron, essential for the body's health. Carrots not only add a touch of sweetness but are also rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Olive oil is key to a healthy dish, offering essential fatty acids and a pleasant taste.
Step by step
1. Prepare the chickpeas
Start by placing the chickpeas in a bowl of water and let them soak overnight. This step is crucial as the chickpeas will absorb the water and double in volume, thus reducing the cooking time.
2. Wash the chickpeas
The next day, drain the chickpeas and rinse them in several waters to remove impurities. This process will contribute to a more pleasant texture of the dish.
3. Prepare the vegetables
In a deep pot, add the olive oil and sauté the finely chopped onion along with the sliced carrots. Let them cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and the carrot starts to soften.
4. Add the tomato paste
Add a generous tablespoon of tomato paste and sauté the mixture for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent sticking.
5. Add the chickpeas and spices
Place the chickpeas in the pot and pour in 6 cups of water. Add the finely chopped hot pepper, cumin, salt, pepper, thyme, grated ginger, and crushed garlic cloves. Mix the ingredients well to combine evenly.
6. The beef
Boil the beef separately in salted water. Once it has boiled and become tender, cut it into small pieces and add it to the pot with the chickpeas.
7. Boiling
Cover the pot and boil on high heat for 30 minutes. Then, reduce the heat and let it simmer for another 45 minutes or until the chickpeas become soft. It is important to stir occasionally and check the water level, adding a cup of water if necessary to prevent sticking.
8. Finalizing
After the dish is ready, turn off the heat and sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for an extra touch of freshness and color.
Serving suggestions
Chickpea stew with beef can be served warm, alongside a portion of rice or fresh bread. A crisp green salad or a tomato salad with red onion would perfectly complement the meal, providing a refreshing contrast.
Variations
If you prefer, you can replace the beef with chicken or make a vegetarian version by omitting the meat and adding extra vegetables, such as zucchini or eggplant. You can also experiment with spices, adding turmeric or coriander for an exotic flavor.
Frequently asked questions
- How long should chickpeas boil?
Chickpeas should boil for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, but the time may vary depending on the type of chickpeas used. It is good to check them periodically.
- Can I use canned chickpeas?
Yes, you can use canned chickpeas, but they will require a shorter cooking time. In this case, add the chickpeas to the pot in the last 10-15 minutes of cooking.
- What are the benefits of chickpeas?
Chickpeas are rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, beneficial for digestion, maintaining a healthy blood sugar level, and providing a feeling of satiety.
Calories and nutritional benefits
A serving of this dish contains approximately 400-500 calories, depending on the amount of oil used and the portion of meat. Nutritional benefits include a high content of protein, fiber, iron, and B vitamins.
I invite you to try this simple yet flavorful recipe and enjoy unforgettable moments with your loved ones. Bon appétit!
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Recipe history
Chickpea stew with beef has deep roots in the culinary traditions of many cultures. Chickpeas, a versatile and nutritious ingredient, have been cultivated for thousands of years, appreciated not only for their taste but also for their nutritional benefits. Combined with beef, this dish becomes a perfect choice for a complete meal, rich in protein and fiber.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of chickpeas (about 400 g)
- 2 medium carrots
- 1 piece of beef (about 400 g)
- 1½ onion (about 150 g)
- ½ cup olive oil (about 125 ml)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 hot pepper (preferably a mildly spicy variety, such as green)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Cumin, to taste
- Thyme, to taste
- A small piece of ginger (about 2 cm)
- 2-3 garlic cloves
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Ingredient details
Chickpeas are an excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, and minerals, positively impacting digestion. Beef provides a significant amount of protein and iron, essential for the body's health. Carrots not only add a touch of sweetness but are also rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Olive oil is key to a healthy dish, offering essential fatty acids and a pleasant taste.
Step by step
1. Prepare the chickpeas
Start by placing the chickpeas in a bowl of water and let them soak overnight. This step is crucial as the chickpeas will absorb the water and double in volume, thus reducing the cooking time.
2. Wash the chickpeas
The next day, drain the chickpeas and rinse them in several waters to remove impurities. This process will contribute to a more pleasant texture of the dish.
3. Prepare the vegetables
In a deep pot, add the olive oil and sauté the finely chopped onion along with the sliced carrots. Let them cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and the carrot starts to soften.
4. Add the tomato paste
Add a generous tablespoon of tomato paste and sauté the mixture for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent sticking.
5. Add the chickpeas and spices
Place the chickpeas in the pot and pour in 6 cups of water. Add the finely chopped hot pepper, cumin, salt, pepper, thyme, grated ginger, and crushed garlic cloves. Mix the ingredients well to combine evenly.
6. The beef
Boil the beef separately in salted water. Once it has boiled and become tender, cut it into small pieces and add it to the pot with the chickpeas.
7. Boiling
Cover the pot and boil on high heat for 30 minutes. Then, reduce the heat and let it simmer for another 45 minutes or until the chickpeas become soft. It is important to stir occasionally and check the water level, adding a cup of water if necessary to prevent sticking.
8. Finalizing
After the dish is ready, turn off the heat and sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for an extra touch of freshness and color.
Serving suggestions
Chickpea stew with beef can be served warm, alongside a portion of rice or fresh bread. A crisp green salad or a tomato salad with red onion would perfectly complement the meal, providing a refreshing contrast.
Variations
If you prefer, you can replace the beef with chicken or make a vegetarian version by omitting the meat and adding extra vegetables, such as zucchini or eggplant. You can also experiment with spices, adding turmeric or coriander for an exotic flavor.
Frequently asked questions
- How long should chickpeas boil?
Chickpeas should boil for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, but the time may vary depending on the type of chickpeas used. It is good to check them periodically.
- Can I use canned chickpeas?
Yes, you can use canned chickpeas, but they will require a shorter cooking time. In this case, add the chickpeas to the pot in the last 10-15 minutes of cooking.
- What are the benefits of chickpeas?
Chickpeas are rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, beneficial for digestion, maintaining a healthy blood sugar level, and providing a feeling of satiety.
Calories and nutritional benefits
A serving of this dish contains approximately 400-500 calories, depending on the amount of oil used and the portion of meat. Nutritional benefits include a high content of protein, fiber, iron, and B vitamins.
I invite you to try this simple yet flavorful recipe and enjoy unforgettable moments with your loved ones. Bon appétit!