Moroccan Chicken Stew

MOROCCAN CHICKEN STEW with ALMOND PESTO

Thick, hearty, sort of spicy-sweet…this stew is very filling and maybe a little different than you’re used to. Serve it on top of couscous made with chicken broth and lots of black pepper for you family.

This is very good topped with the Almond-Cilantro Pesto, but traditional store-bought pesto is great, too.

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6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
2 large carrots, sliced
1 small onion, diced
1 2/3 cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup garbanzo beans
1 tablespoon golden raisins
Almond-Cilantro Pesto
Goat Cheese or Parmesan cheese

In a small bowl mix together the salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika. Season the chicken thighs, using all of the spice mixture. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, over medium heat, melt the butter and oil. Add the chicken to the pot and cook until browned on all sides, stirring occasionally.

Add the carrots, onion, broth, and vinegar. Cook at a simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is very tender. Stir in the garbanzo beans and raisins and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Serve topped with pesto and crumbled or grated cheese. Makes 6 servings, about 2/3 cup each.

Per Serving: Calories 158; Protein 10 g; Fat 8 g; Carbs 9 g; Sugar 2 g; Sodium 279 mg

Almond-Cilantro Pesto

2 cups packed fresh cilantro leaves
1 cup packed fresh parsley
1/4 cup almonds
2 cloves garlic
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon fresh black pepper

Combine the cilantro, parsley, almonds, and garlic in a food processor or blender and process until coarsely chopped. Add oil, salt, and pepper and process until smooth. (If storing carefully pour another tablespoon of olive oil onto the top and then cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.) Makes 12 servings.

Per Serving: Calories 57; Protein 0 g; Fat 6 g; Carbs 1 g; Sugar 0 g; Sodium 47 mg

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Here a bean, there a bean, everywhere a bean…

THREE BEAN CHILI

Hon loves anything and everything “Chili”.  And I really think you can’t have too many variations on that theme!

I’ve done a vegetarian version here, but certainly adding in some chunks of beef or sausage would be super and still have a different feel than regular chili.

Don’t let the 12 cloves of garlic or the cocoa powder, or cinnamon sway you…this is one tasty bowl o’ red and it gets better as leftovers!

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3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, diced
12 cloves garlic, minced
1 red sweet pepper, diced
1 orange or yellow sweet pepper, diced
1 canned chipotle chili pepper in adobo sauce, finely chopped (just 1 pepper, not the whole can unless you are feeling especially asbestos-y!)
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon dried cilantro
1 teaspoon Splenda/sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
One 14-ounce can diced tomatos, undrained
One 14-ounce can tomato sauce
One 14-ounce can chicken or vegetable broth
One 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained, rinsed
One 15-ounce can black beans, drained, rinsed
One 15-ounce can garbanzo beans, drained, rinsed

In a large stock pot, over medium heat, saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil for 10 minutes, or until the onion in very soft and translucent. Stir in sweet peppers, chipotle pepper, chili powder, cumin, cocoa powder, cinnamon, cilantro, Splenda/sugar, and salt. Cook for 2 minutes.

Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Add drained and rinsed beans. Cover and simmer for another 20 minutes. Serve with sour cream. Makes 10 servings.

Per Serving: Calories 188; Protein 8 g; Fat 5 g; Carbs 19 g; Sugar 5 g; Sodium 649 mg

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