hearty chickpea spinach stew

Hearty Chickpea & Spinach Stew

This satisfying stew comes together in a snap. Mashed chickpeas add body to the broth, and tomato paste adds a savory note without piling on the sodium. To simplify the prep, look for chopped fresh onion and shredded carrot or a soup starter mix in the produce section.

Ingredient

    • 2 (15 ounce) cans low-sodium chickpeas, rinsed, divided

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil

    • 12 ounces 93%-lean ground turkey

    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano

    • ½ teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed

    • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper

    • 1 medium onion, chopped (1 cup)

    • 2 medium carrots, diced (3/4 cup)

    • 4 cloves garlic, minced, or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

    • 3 tablespoons tomato paste

    • 1 (32 ounce) carton low-sodium chicken broth (4 cups)

    • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

    • ⅛ teaspoon salt

    • 3 cups IQF (individually quick-frozen) spinach (8 oz.)

    • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (Optional)

Instructions

    1. Mash 1 can chickpeas with a potato masher or fork. Set aside.
    2. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add turkey, oregano, fennel seeds and crushed red pepper. Cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until the turkey is no longer pink, 2 to 3 minutes. Add onion, carrots and garlic (or garlic powder). Cook, stirring often, until softened and fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Add tomato paste. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
    3. Add broth, the mashed and whole chickpeas, pepper and salt to the pot. Cover and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium and cook, covered, at a brisk simmer until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have blended, about 10 minutes.
    4. Add spinach and increase heat to medium-high, Cook, stirring, until the spinach is heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish each serving with 1 tablespoon Parmesan, if desired.