Spicy Tunisian Chickpea Ragout with Harissa and Mint

Name: Spicy Tunisian Chickpea Ragout with Harissa and Mint
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 large onion — finely chopped; 3 garlic cloves — minced; 1 red bell pepper — diced; 400g canned tomatoes — crushed; 250g cooked chickpeas; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tbsp harissa paste; 1 tsp cumin seeds; 1 tsp coriander seeds; 1 tsp smoked paprika; ½ tsp cinnamon; ¼ tsp cayenne pepper; Fresh mint leaves — chopped; Lemon wedges; Cooked couscous or rice

A robust and aromatic dish with a spicy kick

This Spicy Tunisian Chickpea Ragout is a warming and flavorful dish with a bold blend of spices, featuring harissa and fresh mint, perfect for a cozy meal.

1 h 30 min
4
Intermediate

Ingredients

Ragout Base

2 tbsp olive oil

1 large onion — finely chopped

3 garlic cloves — minced

1 red bell pepper — diced

400g canned tomatoes — crushed

250g cooked chickpeas

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 tbsp harissa paste

Spice Blend

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp coriander seeds

1 tsp smoked paprika

½ tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

Garnishing

Fresh mint leaves — chopped

Lemon wedges

Cooked couscous or rice

Preparation

Preparing the Spice Blend

Toast Seeds

Toast coriander and cumin seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant.

Grind Spices

Grind toasted seeds in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.

Combine Spices

Combine with smoked paprika, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper.

Preparing the Ragout Base

Heat Oil

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Sauté Onions

Sauté onions until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add Garlic and Pepper

Add garlic and bell pepper, cooking until soft.

Do not let the garlic burn as it will turn bitter. Pro Tip: Add a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.

Cooking Process

Building the Base

Add tomato paste, harissa, and spice blend to the pot. Cook for 2-3 minutes to develop flavors.

Simmering the Ragout

Stir in the crushed tomatoes and chickpeas. Bring to a boil.

Final Touch

Reduce to a simmer, letting cook for 45 minutes until thickened.

Plating & Serving