Chickpea Stew (Vegan, Gluten-free)

My Comforting Chickpea Stew

Life has been a whirlwind lately! Between moving to Ohio, juggling family responsibilities, and pursuing my passion for healthy cooking, things have been incredibly busy. My daughter, Devannah, started college full-time, which means just Daevyd and I are at home now. This change has actually been a blessing in disguise, offering me more time to experiment in the kitchen and focus on my upcoming cookbook. Yes, you heard that right – a cookbook! I’m so excited to finally share this dream with you all. It's filled with recipes I've developed over the years, many born from experimenting here in our new Ohio home. It's been a joy, and honestly, a much-needed form of therapy during this transition. I've had to make some adjustments, like scaling back on my skincare business to private clients only. This allows me to focus my energy and time on creating delicious recipes and perfecting the cookbook’s manuscript.

Beyond the cookbook, I'm also pursuing a certification as a Certified Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. I’m learning so much about how to best support people in their health journeys, helping them discover the power of food and lifestyle changes. It’s a journey of its own, but one that is incredibly rewarding and perfectly complements my love of creating healthy, flavorful recipes.

Amidst all the exciting developments, I wanted to share one of my absolute favorite recipes – this simple yet incredibly flavorful chickpea stew. It’s a vegan and gluten-free delight that’s perfect for a cozy evening. Chickpeas are nutritional powerhouses! They're low in fat, high in protein and fiber, and packed with vitamins and minerals. They're also incredibly versatile and work wonderfully in stews, salads, and more. This stew is particularly comforting and hearty, perfect for a chilly evening or a satisfying lunch. It’s easy to make and requires only basic ingredients, yet the taste is anything but basic; it's richly flavorful and deeply satisfying.

In fact, I’m so passionate about sharing delicious and healthy vegan recipes that I’ve started a Facebook group called “Vegan Recipes With Love!” I hope you’ll join us there to share your recipes, tips, and inspiration. I'd love to connect with fellow health enthusiasts who share a love for delicious, plant-based meals. And don't forget to follow me on Instagram for more updates, recipes, and glimpses into my life!

This recipe is more than just a meal; it's a representation of my journey, a testament to the joy of cooking, and a taste of the comfort and nourishment I strive to bring to our family and to everyone who enjoys my food. I hope you love it as much as I do!

So go ahead, try this simple chickpea stew, and let me know what you think. Your feedback is always appreciated. Happy cooking!

Step-by-step

• If you are using dried chickpeas, sort, wash and soak them overnight.
• The next day, drain and rinse chickpeas.
• Cover with water about 2 inches above chickpeas and bring to boil on medium heat.
• Lower heat to simmer and cook until tender, about 1 hour.
• Drain chickpeas and reserve 2 cups of liquid, set aside.
• If using canned chickpeas, start at step 5.
• Heat oil or water in a large saucepan on medium-high heat.
• Add onions and cook until soft, about 4 minutes.
• Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring.
• Add bell pepper, tomatoes, carrots, chickpeas, parsley, basil and oregano.
• Add tomato paste and vegetable broth or reserved chickpeas water (aquafaba), cover and bring to boil.
• Reduce to a simmer for 20-30 minutes or until thickened.
• Mash some of the chickpeas with the back of a fork to thicken stew.
• Check seasoning, add cayenne pepper and extra salt and pepper as needed.
• Delicious served with brown rice.