Description
This Sweet Potato and Chickpea Slow Cooker Tagine is a hearty, flavorful vegetarian dish inspired by North African cuisine. Combining tender sweet potatoes, smoky spices, and protein-rich chickpeas, this comforting slow-cooked stew is perfect for a nutritious and easy meal. Serve it over couscous with a refreshing dollop of yogurt and fresh mint for a vibrant, wholesome dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 onion, peeled and chopped
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium aubergine (eggplant), cut into chunks
Other Ingredients
- 1 (400g) can chickpeas, drained (about 1 1/4 cups)
- 1 (400g) can tinned tomatoes (about 1 1/3 cups)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
To Serve
- Couscous
- Yogurt (soy yogurt for vegan option)
- Fresh mint, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Peel and chop the onion into pieces. Peel the sweet potato and cut into 1-inch chunks. Chop the red bell pepper and cut the aubergine into chunks about the same size to ensure even cooking.
- Assemble in Slow Cooker: Place all the chopped vegetables in the slow cooker. Add the drained chickpeas and canned tinned tomatoes. Sprinkle in the ground cumin, ground turmeric, smoked paprika, ground cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on high heat for 4 hours. About halfway through cooking, stir everything gently to promote even heat distribution and prevent sticking.
- Serve: Once the vegetables are tender and the flavors melded, serve the tagine hot over cooked couscous. Add a dollop of yogurt or soy yogurt and garnish with fresh mint leaves for added freshness and creaminess.
Notes
- You can substitute couscous with quinoa or rice for a gluten-free option.
- For extra protein, consider adding cooked lamb or chicken if not vegetarian.
- The slow cooker method intensifies the flavors and makes the vegetables tender without much hands-on time.
- Adjust the spices according to your taste preference, adding more smoked paprika for smokiness or cinnamon for warmth.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and taste even better the next day.
