Chorizo and Chickpea Stew

This is a Spanish inspired stew. Most of the cooking is done in a slow cooker. The only exception to this is frying off the onions.

Ingredients

 

 

Onions - 2 medium sized, chopped.

 

Tinned tomatoes - 2 x 400g.

 

Carrots - 4, chopped.

 

Celery - 2 to 3 sticks, de-stringed and chopped.

 

Chickpeas - 1 x 400g tin. The jarred versions are better but since these are going in the slow cooker it doesn't matter.

 

Red, Green and Brown lentils - 1 Tablespoon each.

 

Chorizo - about 8 inches worth.

 

Lardons - 1 pack, 100g. I used unsmoked.

 

Garlic - 4 cloves. You could put more in if you wish but bear in mind the Chorizo has some garlic in it.

 

Dried Parsley - 2 heaped teaspoons.

 

Dried Oregano - 1 heaped teaspoon. 

Peppercorns - 1 teaspoon - ground. This gives it some heat and compliments the Chorizo.

Salt - half a teaspoon to cook with the onions. Remember the lardons will have salt in them.

Oil - about a tablespoon to cook the onion with.

Water - About 300 mil.

 

The Process

 



The first thing to do is prepare the onions and set them off in a little oil. A medium heat and just keep stirring them in between preparing the rest of the ingredients.

Start off with the tomatoes in the slow cooker, switch it on and just add the rest as you prepare. The order does not matter.

Chorizo, lardons and garlic go into a food processor. They are for flavour and, especially with the lardons, not there for the texture. You may need to add some water to ease the process.

I used the heart from the remains of an old piece of celery.

By now the onions will have browned a little and be soft and sweet.

Everything else is ready. Once it's all in the slow cooker finish off with the water and give it all a good mix. Put the lid on and leave until you are happy with the result. That is mainly down to the lentils. It's an ideal dish to set away in the morning and come back to in the early evening.

The finished result. A very easy, simple dish but very flavoursome.

It's nice with soured cream or yogurt.