Moroccan Spiced Eggplant And Chickpeas Recipes

MOROCCAN CHICKPEA AND EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) STEW

Steps:

• Cut off the ends of the eggplant, than chop into ¾" cubes. I salted an eggplant once just for fun, but with fresh eggplant just don't find it necessary!
• Chop the onion roughly.
• Mince the garlic.
• Coat a large deep-sided frypan with olive oil. and heat over a medium heat.
• Add the minced garlic, onion, chili powder, cumin and cinnamon. Stir well to coat evenly. Cook until the onions have softened (approx. 4-5 minutes).
• Add the eggplant, tomatoes and chickpeas, along with the stock. Simmer over medium-low heat, covered, for fifteen-twenty minutes (until the eggplant is tender).
• Uncover and stir. If the stew looks very soupy, let the liquid bubble away for a few more minutes.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve over rice / pasta / cous cous / even toast would be yummy.
• The qty of spice listed make it moderately hot - good for a taste explosion for someone not used to spices. I normally double them as I like things really spicy!

CHICKPEA CURRY

Steps:

• Combine all the spices of the spice mix and salt in a small bowl and mix well. Set aside
• Heat a 12-inch non-stick deep skillet with a lid over medium heat. Add half of the diced eggplant and cook dry without any oil for about 7 minutes stirring occasionally ( you may need to add a couple of tablespoons of water a time to prevent them from sticking if you are not using a no-stick pan).
• Transfer to a bowl and set aside. Repeat the process with the rest of the eggplant and transfer it to the bowl
• Using the same skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the garlic and ginger and cook over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes. Add the onion and spice mix, and cook for 5-6minutes or until translucent
• Add the tomato paste and cook for 3-4 minutes stirring frequently. Add the drained chickpeas, stir gently and continue cooking for 2 to 3minutes
• Add the cooked eggplant and broth or water, bring to a boil, cover the pan and reduce the heat to simmer for 40 minutes Add the cilantro in the last 10 minutes of cooking, saving some for garnish.

ROASTED EGGPLANT POTATOES CHICKPEAS WITH MOROCCAN MERGUEZ SEASONING

Steps:

• Add everything under Merguez seasoning in a blender or grinder and grind to a powder and set aside.
• Add oil to a baking dish and place in the oven at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.
• Cube the eggplants and potatoes and add to a bowl. Add the salt, 2 tsp merguez and mix well.
• Remove pan and carefully (using gloves), add the spiced eggplant and potatoes and move around to spread evenly. They will sizzle. Spray some oil on top. Place the dish in the oven and Bake for 30 minutes.
• Then remove the pan from the oven, mix in the chickpeas, garlic and rest of the spice mix and some salt and a dash of lemon juice. Mix well to distribute.
• Place back in the oven and Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Taste carefully and adjust salt heat and flavor. Add more of the spices like cumin, cinnamon and paprika if needed or some zatar.
• Serve over greens, or make wraps with tahini dressing and hummus or serve with garlic sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley. Add some warm pita bread to the bowl if you wish.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH EGGPLANTS

Steps:

• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large pot. Add the onions and the chicken pieces and fry until chicken is golden.
• Add cinnamon and ginger and fry a few more seconds.
• Add the broth to cover the chicken, 3 cups should be enough.
• Add the parsley and cover the pot.
• Let it simmer at low heat for about 1 hour, until chicken is tender.
• Meanwhile brush the sliced eggplant with the remaining olive oil and grill them in the oven from both sides (about 5 minutes each side) until soft.
• After one hour, take the chicken and parsley out of the pot and add the sliced eggplant. Mash them with a fork to "melt" with the broth (NOTE: If you do not like the skin, peel them after grilling).
• Check for salt and pepper and add the chicken back to the pot. (Throw away the parsley).
• Let it heat through and serve with lots of warmed (pita-)bread to soak up the sauce.

MOROCCAN-SPICED EGGPLANT AND CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Water saute the onion, garlic, and carrot for 5 minutes on medium high heat. Add the eggplant, red pepper, chickpeas, ginger and spices. Continue to saute (adding water if necessary) until eggplant is tender, 5-7 minutes. Add the tomato and parsley, reduce heat to low, and simmer covered 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.