CHICKPEA AND KALE STEW

Today was cloudy, so for lunch I felt like preparing something comforting and delicious that was also relatively quick. So I decided to go for this dish that reminds me of my beautiful yaya (grandma), and that also has that touch of green that I love to add to my meals. The result was this delicious and healthy chickpea stew with kale.

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients: (Serves 2)

1 bunch of kale (I used curly)
2 roma tomatoes
1 cup yellow onions diced
2 large cloves of garlic
1 cup unsalted organic vegetable broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons sweet paprika (or more to taste)
1 bunch fresh parsley
Cumin powder to taste (I added a lot)
1 can of organic chickpeas
Salt to taste
1/2 lemon
Onion powder to taste 


Directions:

1. Wash the kale and trim the stems from the leaves. Use the stems for juicing or discard. 
2. Dice the tomatoes, onion and garlic. 
3. In a deep pan or skillet, add a cup of water and bring to a boil. Add the kale and toss until soft, then drain and chop.
4. Clean the pan. Add a drizzle of olive oil. When the oil is hot add the onion and garlic, when they are lightly golden and add the tomato. Mix.
5. Reduce heat (medium) and add the paprika, onion powder, salt, and cumin. Cook for two minutes. 
6. Then add the can of organic chickpeas (I don't use the liquid but you could) and the cup of vegetable broth. Increase heat to boiling. After boiling, reduce heat to medium and add the kale. Cook for 10 minutes. 
7. Add the juice of half a lemon and the chopped parsley. Mix well. Lower the heat and cook for 3 minutes.  
8. Serve and enjoy.

If you live in a cold place, you could prepare some quinoa (make in a rice cooker), and add it to the stew while you prepare it. It will make it much more dense and comforting. I made a green salad as our side, since the chickpeas are hard to digest and we want to make it easy on our stomach. Adding a good dose of raw greens will also add alkalinity to the plate. Beans should preferably be combined with cooked or raw veggies (not including starchy ones) for optimal digestion. 

The dish was delicious and I hope you enjoy, especially on a rainy day. 

With Love,
Romina