Are you looking for an easy dinner recipe, that is also hardy and yummy? Try this simple North African recipe that utilizes both dates and chickpeas.
The main ingredients in this dish are dates, chickpeas, and tomatoes, all of which have important health benefits. Dates, consumed in moderation, have the ability to replenish the body’s energy almost instantly. It is composed of simple sugars and packed full of dietary fiber. Its dark color is attributed to tannins, which are known to possess antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. They are chock-full of iron, which increases the oxygen capacity of blood.
Chickpeas are a favorite among vegetarians and a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine. They are high in dietary fiber, protein, folate, iron, and manganese. Eating chickpeas is said to lower blood glucose levels, keep bones strong, reduce the risk of heart disease, decrease tumor growth rate, and help with weight management. And then there are tomatoes, a delicious addition to any meal. Tomatoes are full of vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium. The nutrients in the tomatoes can help combat free radicals that can cause cancer, keep your skin healthy, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
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Listed below is that Mindful Date and Chickpea recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 diced sweet onion
- 4 minced cloves of garlic
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- ½ teaspoons of ground cinnamon
- 1 15-ounce can of crushed tomatoes, drained
- 2 15 ounce cans of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup pitted dates, halved (about four dates)
- ¼ cup of lemon juice
- ½ cup of chopped cilantro
Directions
- Heat olive oil in the saucepan over medium heat.
- Add onion and cook until the onion starts caramelizing. Stir in garlic, cumin, and cinnamon. Sauté quickly the ingredients.
- Add tomatoes and chickpeas to the mixture. Allow the ingredients to simmer for ten minutes.
- Stir dates and lemon juice into the tagine, and season with salt and pepper, if desired.
Bonus: Serve this delicious mixture over couscous, garnished with cilantro. If you want to add more veggies into your diet, consider adding corn, butternut squash, or carrots to the recipe. If you aren’t a fan of dates, substitute them with prunes. And if you would like to add a nuttier flavor, instead of cilantro, garnish the dish with toasted almonds.