Meet Alex Caspero
Alex Caspero is a Registered Dietitian, New York Times Bestselling Plant-Based Chef and mom of two. She aims to cut through the nutrition noise by providing real-life, nourishing tips for body and mind. Learn more about Alex.
Slow Cooker Chickpea Tangine! You’ve gotta try this amazing vegan crock-pot meal. Packed with flavor, protein and fiber. Vegan + Gluten-Free.
As usual, I’m playing fast and loose with titles. Spiced chickpeas with tomatoes, apricots and couscous? Well, that’s a tangine in my book. Please note that my book may not be your book; it’s born out of my love of spices, vegetables and pulses without much care for tradition.
Honestly, it doesn’t matter. If you love warm, fragrant spices like cumin and turmeric, hearty chickpeas and nutty couscous, you are going to love this dish. I’ve been trying to use my crock-pot more often, though after hearing your feedback on Facebook, I’m thisclose to purchasing an Instapot. As a work-from-home woman sans children, I really have zero excuses not to have dinner ready every night, but why is it so hard to do this? I cook all day long, yet when BL walks in the door, I usually mutter something about leftovers. Slow-cooker to the rescue. I dump in everything mid-afternoon when I’m already in the kitchen and ta-da! Super Wife 6 hours later.
I was inspired to make this dish after cleaning out my refrigerator drawer that I keep stocked with nuts and dried fruits. Sigh, living in a century-old house without any storage spaces makes for an interesting set-up. Dishes are in the basement, nuts are in the crisper. Somehow, it just works.
A little organizing revealed that I had no less than 3 bags of dried apricots at my disposal. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why or when these apricots appeared in my kitchen but there they were, just begging to be used. So, tangine of my imagination it is.
I really, really love this dish and I hope you make it. It’s the perfect dish for right now; in between all of the cookies, candy, cocktails and gatherings. A simple, nourishing break for nights when you want a healthy dinner without any fuss.
If you’re so lucky to own an Instapot, you can make the entire thing there. Saute the vegetables, then add the rest of the ingredients and cook per the directions. For everyone else, it’s worth it to saute the onion and spices before putting them into the crockpot, the little bit of extra time is so worth the intensified flavor.
If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge . I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking!
PrintSlow Cooker Chickpea Tangine! You’ve gotta try this amazing vegan crock-pot meal. Packed with flavor, protein and fiber. Vegan + Gluten-Free.
Tag @delishknowledge on Instagram and hashtag it #delishknowledge
(10 comments) leave a comment
I have done this once in a regular slow cooker. I now have an Instant Pot. You say to cook it the same in an IP but don’t indicate what the cooking time is. I am sure 4 hours is way too long in an IP.
Hi David– sorry for the error. What I meant by using the Instant Pot was the slow cooker function– you can saute the vegetables using the saute function on your IP, then add in the other ingredients and slow cooker using the slow cooker feature on IP.
What is the nutritional content?
★★★★★
Very good!
I loved the combinations of flavours and how the spice comes at the end of the bite and does not overpower the other flavours. Also really easy to make.
I accidentally put crushed tomatoes instead of chopped tomatoes and it was still very delicious, but I can see how it would be even better with the right ones.
At last, I think the quantity is more than 4 servings, about 6 or 7. Great there is more to freeze for later!
★★★★★
So happy to hear that you loved it. Thanks, Louise!
Hi –
Did you drain the cans of chickpeas? Thanks!
Yes!
This one was a little too sweet for me. I added yogurt to tone down the sweetness.
★★★
Thanks for the feedback!
YUM!! Love all the flavors and aromas of North African cuisine!