Thursday, March 22, 2012

Chickpeas with Chorizo


Last week, I wrote a blog post that mentioned my dream of someday travelling to Morocco.  It's been ages since I cooked anything from that region ... and why?  I adore Moroccan food, with its vivid spices and flavors. I've been so busy with holiday cooking, writing about cookbooks, judging events, and other missions; and, of course, I have to accommodate other eaters in my life, who aren't necessarily terribly adventurous.  So much food to cook and eat, so little time!

This recipe is traditionally Moroccan in that it is stew-like and reminiscent of a tagine - a beautiful conical dish that simmers foods, as well as the dishes that are cooked in the utensil (the name can be used for both); this is indicative of influence from the Berbers of North Africa.  It is also Moroccan in that it has been strongly influenced by Spain, which is evident in the use of both chorizo and paprika.  Spain and Morocco are only 8 miles apart, across the Strait of Gibraltar.

To make this a vegetarian dish, I used a lovely soy chorizo that is available at Trader Joe's; it isn't a firm sausage, but rather a crumbly one.  It offers good flavor and color, and is great in many recipes (such as the Sloppy Joes that I'm told are a friend's family favorite).  You could easily use traditional meat chorizo, which is sliced rather than ground; of course, while that ingredient would be indicative of Spanish influence, it would also be an affront to Morocco's Muslims with its forbidden pork.  So many cultures, so much history, such a melange!

But whether you're serving carnivores or vegetarians, this simple, fragrant, fabulous dish is one you should absolutely try.

Chickpeas with Chorizo

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 small red onion, quartered, sliced
1 small roasted red pepper, quartered, sliced (from a jar is just fine)
6 ounces chorizo (soy or pork)
1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained, rinsed
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
juice of half lemon
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon kosher salt
generous pinch freshly ground black pepper

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add the garlic and onion; saute for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion is softening.  Add the remaining ingredients and bring just to a boil.  Cover the saucepan, turn heat down to low, and cook for 10 minutes until most of the liquid is absorbed.

Serve "as is" with bread, or serve it over couscous.  Serves 2-4.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh wow.. who knew that chorizo could make chickpeas sound so appealing to me?? LOVE the flavors you have going on here... Look delicious too!

Unknown said...

Looks great, and fear not for the sausage! Beef chorizo can be found where Moroccan Jews exist, and there's always Merguez lamb sausage, isn't there? Mmmmm.

Andrea the Kitchen Witch said...

What an interesting combo of flavors and textures. Sounds pretty tasty to boot!

Cindy @ Once Upon a Loaf said...

Your post is wonderful, but I had to force myself to concentrate after seeing the word 'chickpeas' - one of my fave things in all the world. Seriously. I am going to make this!

Chris said...

I had a bad experience with a unnamed brand of tofu "sausage" product last year. Even the raccoons wouldn't eat one that fell on the ground. I know it was just the brand used but it ruined me for now.

But I'll use good ol' Mexican chorizo to make this and really screw up the cultural influences, ha ha.


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