Sabanech
Spinach and chickpeas with chicken.
Sabanech means spinach, and this recipe is for a favourite stew of spinach, chickpeas and chicken. Although most versions of this recipe contain meat, it is often classed as a vegetable dish. Sabanech is often variously spelled as sabanegh or sabanekh.
1 large bunch spinach leaves
1 tin chickpeas
1 chicken, chopped into portions
1 large onion
3 cloves garlic
1 cup rice (basmati)
1 1/2 cups water (for rice)
olive oil
1 lemon
pinch of saffron
salt and pepper to season
2 cups water
Peel and slice the onions, peel and mince the garlic. Saute the onion in olive oil until translucent. Add the chicken and fry until lightly browned. Add the garlic, pinch of black pepper and saffron. Add hte water, bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
Add the chickpeas and the spinach leaves. Stir well, bring back to boil and simmer for another 15 minutes.
Cook the rice in the meantime. Add the rice to the 1 1/2 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer gently for 10 minutes. Then switch off heat and leave for 10 minutes.
Add salt to taste to the stew, and add the juice of 1/2 lemon. Serve the stew with the cooked rice.
[ Posted on May 20, 2009 at 7:29PM ]