Moroccan Aubergine Chickpea Tagine
- PREP TIME: 30
- COOK TIME: 40
- TOTAL TIME: 1 HOUR 10 MINUTES
- YIELD: 6 1X
DESCRIPTION
Delicious, healthy Tagine Recipe with Aubergine and Chickpeas- seasoned with Moroccan spices and served over couscous.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 extra-large aubergine (or two small)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2–4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 6–8 garlic cloves, rough chopped
- 100g celery
- 1 red pepper (or large carrot)
- 1 tablespoon, ras el hanout, more taste
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 14-ounce can tomatoes
- 60g raisins (or chopped dried apricots)
- 1 teaspoon salt, more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 14-ounce can chickpeas, drained, rinsed.
- 240 ml vegetable stock
Garnishes: Cinnamon scented couscous, flat-leaf parsley, olive oil, optional yogurt, optional Aleppo chili flakes
Cinnamon-Scented Couscous (serves 4)
- 400 ml vegetable stock
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small cinnamon stick ( or 1/2 teaspoon)
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic ( or onion)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, more to taste
- 265 gms dry couscous
Preheat the oven to 190C
Instructions:
Prepare the Aubergine: Quarter the aubergine, and cut into large chunks (1 1/2 inches at widest part). Place in a big bowl, cover with cool water just to enough to cover, and stir in the salt. Place a plate over top to keep the aubergine submerged 20 minutes. Drain and pat dry. (Don’t rinse.)
Pan Sear: In a large ovenable pot over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons oil. Working in 2 batches, brown two sides of the aubergine, until golden, then set these aside. No need to cook through.
Make the stew: Add more oil to the same pan, and the onion and saute 2-3 minutes, stirring. Add the garlic, celery and red pepper and lower heat, cook until tender about 5 minutes. Lower heat to low. Add the spices, canned tomatoes (and juices), raisins, salt, pepper, chickpeas and vegetable stock . Bring to simmer, stirring.
Nestle in the aubergine and give the pan a good shake so the stew levels. It should be like a stew-like. If it seems dry, add a little water. Drizzle with a little olive oil, cover tightly and place in the warm oven.
Bake 20-25 minutes or until aubergine is tender and cooked through. While it’s baking make the couscous.
Remove the lid, taste adding more salt to taste, keeping in mind the couscous will soak up some of the salt. If you feel the stew needs more flavour overall, add a little more ras el hanout, a 1/2 teaspoon at a time, tasting as you go. If it seems watery, bake uncovered for a few minutes. If dry, add a little water. To serve, Sprinkle with optional Aleppo chili flakes and fresh Parsley. I like adding an additional drizzle of olive oil, or a dollop of yogurt, up to you.
Serve with the cinnamon-scented couscous.
To make couscous: Place broth, oil, spices and salt in a medium pot, and bring to boil. Stir in couscous. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand 7 minutes. Uncover and fluff with fork. Adjust salt.
