Spanish Chickpea Stew

Ingredients

Olive oil, extra virgin1½ cup
Garlic, fresh, minced3 ounces
Onions, fresh, diced5 pounds
Paprika, sweet⅓ cup
Cumin, ground1 tablespoon
Spinach, frozen, chopped(4 pounds, 8 ounces)4.5 pounds
Garbanzo beans (chickpeas), canned, low-sodium, drained, rinsed(8 pounds, 2 ounces), *Or 8 pounds 2 ounces Garbanzo beans (chickpeas), dry, cooked8.125 pounds
Raisins, golden, seedless(2 pounds, 6 ounces)2.375 pounds
Tomatoes, diced, canned, low-sodium(2 pounds, 10 ounces)2.625 pounds
Chicken stock, low-sodium(3 quarts, ½ cup)3.125 quarts
Vinegar, red wine½ cup
Salt, kosher2 teaspoons
Black pepper, ground2 teaspoons

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in roasting pan/square head pan (20⅞” x 17⅜” x 7”).Add garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add onions. Continue to sauté for 5-7 minutes until the onions are translucent.
  2. Mix in paprika and cumin.
  3. Add spinach and sauté for 15 minutes.
  4. Mix in garbanzo beans (chickpeas), raisins, tomatoes, and stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes or until raisins are plump.
  5. Add vinegar, salt, and pepper. Mix well.Critical Control Point: Heat to 135 °F or higher for at least 15 seconds.
  6. Critical Control Point: Hold at 135 °F for hot service.
  7. Portion with 8 fl oz ladle (1 cup).

Recipe Notes

Special tip for preparing dry beans: SOAKING BEANS OVERNIGHT METHOD: Add 1-3⁄4 quarts cold water to every 1 pound of dry beans. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Discard the water. Proceed with recipe.


QUICK-SOAK METHOD: Boil 1-3⁄4 quarts of water for each 1 pound of dry beans. Add beans and boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to soak for 1 hour. Discard the water. Proceed with recipe.


COOKING BEANS: Once the beans have been soaked, add 1-3⁄4 quarts water for every pound of dry beans. Boil gently with lid tilted until tender, about 2 hours.


Use hot beans immediately.Critical Control Point: Hold for hot service at 135 °F or higher. ORChill for later use.
Critical Control Point: Cool to 70 °F within 2 hours and to 40 °F or lower within an additional 4 hours.1 pound dry garbanzo beans (chickpeas) = about 2-1⁄2 cups dry or 6-1⁄4 cups cooked garbanzo beans (chickpeas).

Skyline High School is located on a beautiful 45-acre campus at the crest of the Oakland Hills in California. The recipe challenge team grew out of an existing afterschool cooking academy that teaches cooking skills and nutrition. The opportunity to participate in the challenge was presented to the cooking academy, and several students participated. The team partnered with a local chef who brought in three concepts for recipes that the students prepared and tasted. The aromas that resulted from cooking the recipes enticed even more students to join the team.  After conducting taste tests and receiving approvals by the students, the team eventually submitted not one, but two stew recipes which were both selected to be featured in this cookbook: Spanish Chickpea Stew and Sweetpotato and Black Bean Stew.

The hearty Spanish Chickpea Stew will make a delightful addition to any menu. The flavors of this stew are well-balanced by the slight acidity of the tomatoes, creating a delicious main dish when served over brown rice or whole-wheat couscous.