Friday, September 10, 2010

Chickpea and Zucchini Tagine


Sexy food. Food so tantalizing that you find yourself licking your lips in anticipation. You can't wait to have it. When you finally take your first bite you are filled with sheer delight. You roll your eyes back in your head and moan in total satisfaction. It so satiating. It fills a need. It's everything you want it to be. You can't help it. You find yourself thinking of it throughout the day. It beckons you. That very thought of that sexy food is driving you crazy!

Sexy and sensual in just about every way it seduces all of your senses. The beauty of it, the sound of it, the smell, taste and touch. It awakens the senses. The soft, supple feel of bread dough in your hands. The cool creaminess of a treat that feels so good in your mouth. A ripe piece of juicy fruit that drips down your mouth and hands. A rack of ribs coated in barbecue sauce causing you to lick your fingers. The intoxicating smell of onions and garlic sauteing in a pan. Warm spices mixing to announce new and exciting flavors......promising something exotic and different. Food is the epitome of sexy.

The problem? Indulging in sexy food and buttoning one's pants do not usually go hand in hand. Let's face it. Comforting as they are, stretch pants are most definitely not sexy. Sometimes you have to scale it back a bit and when that happens, this Chickpea and Zucchini Tagine is both sexy and healthy.

Chickpeas, zucchini, tomatoes and onions are scented with warm spicy cumin and cooked down to a thick stew that is served over couscous. It makes for a very fragrant, satisfying, colorful meal that will call you back for more and make you feel good about it!!


Chickpea and Zucchini Tagine
Adapted from Kitchen Express by Mark Bittman
Cook chopped onion, a sliced zucchini, some ground cumin, a pinch of saffron, and some salt and pepper in olive oil (I used a teaspoon). When the onion is soft, add a can of drained chickpeas, along with a large can of chopped-up tomatoes, with their juice. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer and heat through; serve with a spoonful of plain yogurt and freshly chopped cilantro.

Notes/Results: Recipes like this making eating healthy fun. This is truly a wonderful meal served over couscous. I really enjoyed this dish. I had a cup of light coconut milk hanging out in the fridge, so I threw that in and it added a wonderful creaminess to the dish. A very tasty way to get in your veggies, fiber, and whole grains this is a meal that I would look forward to making again.

Weight Watchers Notes:
Makes 4 servings
(points include 1 cup of light coconut milk and 1 tsp. of olive oil)
5 points per serving, 6.5 with 1/2 cup couscous
*Most women range from 18-25 points per day, which makes this a wonderful choice.


I am submitting this to I Heart Cooking Clubs for this week's theme Damn, That's Sexy!

NOTE: Don't miss your chance to vote on our new chef/cook at I Heart Cooking Clubs. Will it be Giada De Laurentiis, Lidia Bastianich, Cat Cora, or Sara Moulton? It's your vote! Click HERE to be directed to our site and vote for your favorite.


I'm also submitting this to Roz's new blog hop @ La Bella Vita called Fresh, Clean and Pure Friday.

24 comments:

  1. That looks delicious and comforting for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  2. My kind of meal for sure, definitely something I would love. And I also love how you put WW points Kim. Even though I'm not "officially" still on it, I still love knowing points when they're available and I often mentally figure out points for different foods I make. Looks scrumptious!

    ReplyDelete
  3. The problem? Indulging in sexy food and buttoning one's pants do not usually go hand in hand.

    That line made me - LOL

    so true!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow this looks great! I'm always looking for meatless meals...but ones that are satisfying and exciting. This'll do it!

    BTW, I don't know why, but I find chickpeas kinda sexy.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kim, great post! I almost needed a shower after the first few paragraphs ;o)
    Great looking meal, love "light" food that is done right and tasty and this fits the bill!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Moroccan food is one of my all time favorites. With such a glowing review, I totally want to try this. It's like When Harry Met Sally when they say "I'll have what she's having" LOL.
    Have a fab weekend.
    *kisses* HH

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've never actually had chickpeas in a dish like that - I've always made falafel! Looks good!

    Off to check out your tempura green beans! Happy Friday!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sexy and healthy is a great combination! It looks delicious and with all my favorite flavors and ingredients too. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Very inviting looking recipe. On my must try list now.
    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love that you and I both went the spicy route for this! I love how healthy this all, all stuffed with my favorite bean and one of my favorite veggies! I can feel the sex appeal from hear! (insert cat call)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Let's not talk about pants not fitting, shall we? :)

    I wish I wasn't the only family member that would eat this because it looks fantastic.

    But ribs......mmmmm......ribs......

    ReplyDelete
  12. Chick Peas. Only you and girlichef could make chick peas a sexy experience!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh my gosh, Kim, you are a saint in answer to my foodie addiction prayers! First of all your writing is glorious!!!! . . . and then you go and give us a recipe to enjoy without guilt! I'm begging you to share this on my blog hop for this weekend, if you please for a healthy recipe! I've just got to add this to my healthy recipe repertoire! Thank you so very much!

    ReplyDelete
  14. You are a genius...making chikpeas and zucchini
    a sexy meal; love your post and the great photos. I am also addicted to good food.

    ReplyDelete
  15. this sounds so quick and easy and yummy!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. You're right--sexy food and buttoning your pants usually don't pair up, however, there's always the moderation factor :-) I still have a lot of zucchini to use up, so this will be a great recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh, very sexy indeed...busting out of your pants isn't all that sexy ;) LOL!! This sounds sexy-delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  18. For a second I thought Donna was writing this, ha ha.

    Nice post, Kim. The chickpeas make it for me.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I went with warm spices too - perfect! Great tagine. ☺

    ReplyDelete
  20. Chickpeas are everywhere right now. And your recipe looks fabulous AND healthy! Great idea to add coconut milk!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Excellent recipe! Healthy (sexy) comfort food. Perfect for the fall. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Not only is this sexy Kim but it sounds comforting! And I love the coconut milk in it making it a little extra special.

    ReplyDelete
  23. That looks like a great dish - and love something that is so quick and easy, leaving you more time to spend on the "sexy" stuff!
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  24. You made me smile Kim - I do have eves where the buttons are squeezed in. But then you posted that amazing dish and reminded me that zucchini is my friend!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment! At the moment I am having a huge problem with spam so I've had to add comment moderation and close off comments to anonymous users. I apologize for the trouble and hope to return my comments to normal shortly.