Quick Chickpea Stew

​There’s definitely something about the clocks going back that makes my thoughts turn to comfort food. I don’t think I’m alone in that. The challenge is that when we think of comfort food we all too often think of overly starchy and sugary options – satisfying at the time but not great for sustaining our energy or our mood! Over the next few weeks I’m planning to share some of my favourite Autumn comfort food. I’m aiming to keep this simple for anyone who doesn’t feel like they have the energy to cook. Please join me – and if you have any favourite healthy comfort food then do share in the comments.

​What I really love about this dish is that there are so many ways to enjoy. For starters I use whatever veg I happen to have in so that gives different flavours and textures every time. It makes a substantial stew by itself but you can serve it with some brown rice or a hunk of bread and keep it vegan. If you eat meat or fish then this work well with chicken, white fish or prawns.
So, whether you are looking for some quick midweek meals - or you want some inspiration for slow cooker options that help increase the amount of vegetables you are eating - this one pot has you covered. I give a basic mix below to which you can add a variety of different vegetables.

Ingredients:
Base Mix
2 tins chopped tomatoes
1 can of chickpeas
2 medium sweet potato, diced or 1 small squash, diced
1 tsp paprika (I use ½ hot and ½ sweet but go with your palette)
1 clove garlic, chopped
Veggie Additions
Add  2 – 3 vegetables of your choice, sliced or diced appropriately. Peppers (any colour), courgette, celery and green beans all work well
Seasoning and Flavour
These are my favourites but go with 1 - 2 herbs and one oil of your choice
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tsp seaweed flakes
1 tbsp pumpkin seed oil (or olive oil if you prefer)
Black pepper to taste

​Method:
If you are using a slow cooker put the sweet potato and other vegetables in a pan with the garlic and a little oil and cook for about 5 mins until veg is warmed through. Transfer to slow cooker with the rest of the base mix and cook as per your cooker’s instructions. Add seasoning and herbs about 5 mins before serving and stir well.
If making as a one pot on the hob you can just pile all of the base mix and veggies into the pan together and simmer for 20 – 30 mins, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potato is soft. You can leave this for longer to allow the flavours to blend together. Add seasoning and herbs, stir and serve.