From above, you see a dark-colored bowl containing vibrant, chunky stew that breaks up the monochrome winter. Shades of bright orange butternut squash, dark green spinach, and speckles of red from the spiced tomato base are peeping out. A dollop of pastel-colored hummus cloud is perched on top, dusted with a burnt orange sprinkle of zaatar.

Middle-Eastern Spiced Stew with Hummus Cloud

Name: Middle-Eastern Spiced Stew with Hummus Cloud
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: medium butternut squash, 1 peeled and cut into chunks; spinach, 1 cup chopped; large yellow onion, 1 finely chopped; garlic, 4 cloves minced; fresh ginger, 1 tablespoon grated; chickpeas, 1 can drained; crushed tomatoes, 2 cans; olive oil, 4 tablespoons; cumin, 1 teaspoon; coriander, 1 teaspoon; cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon; turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon; salt and pepper, to taste; chickpeas, 1 can drained (for the Hummus Cloud); tahini, 2 tablespoons; garlic, 2 cloves minced (for the Hummus Cloud); lemon juice, 1 tablespoon; zaatar, to sprinkle

Category Main Course

Prep 20 minutes

Cook 30 minutes

Style Mediterranean

Technique Simmering

Diet Friendly Mediterranean

Daily Recipe: January 08, 2024

Our exquisite recipe taps into the heart of the Mediterranean diet while taking inspiration from the Middle East. Featuring the brightness of seasonal winter vegetables, a richly spiced tomato base, and topping it off with a warming Zaatar-spiced ‘hummus cloud’, an innovative approach to hummus that makes it extra fluffy and light.

Ingredients (for 4)

Medium butternut squash - 1 - peeled and cut into chunks
Spinach - 1 cup - chopped
Large yellow onion - 1 - finely chopped
Garlic - 4 cloves - minced
Fresh ginger - 1 tablespoon - grated
Chickpeas - 1 can - drained
Crushed tomatoes - 2 cans
Olive oil - 4 tablespoons
Cumin - 1 teaspoon
Coriander - 1 teaspoon
Cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon
Turmeric - 1/2 teaspoon
Salt and pepper - to taste
Chickpeas - 1 can - drained (for the Hummus Cloud)
Tahini - 2 tablespoons
Garlic - 2 cloves - minced (for the Hummus Cloud)
Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
Zaatar - to sprinkle

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍳🧅🔥

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot. Add the finely chopped yellow onions and cook until soft.
Step 2 - 🥄🌶🕑

Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cinnamon to the pot. Continue to cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Step 3 - 🍅🥘⏰

To the pot, add the crushed tomatoes, chunks of butternut squash, and drained chickpeas. Season with salt and pepper. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
Step 4 - 🍽🍋💨

While the stew is simmering, prepare the Hummus Cloud. In a food processor, combine the drained chickpeas, tahini, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Blend until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
Step 5 - 🥬🤏🏼🔀

When the stew is ready, add the chopped spinach. Stir until it's thoroughly mixed in and taste for any necessary seasoning adjustments.
Step 6 - 🍲🥘✨

Serve the stew in a bowl. Top it with a scoop of Hummus Cloud and a sprinkle of zaatar to finish.

Additional

The Hummus Cloud is a playful twist on the traditional hummus and adds a delightful lightness that the richer stew benefits from. For a fun experiment with your kids, let them handle the food processor (with your supervision) and witness the transformation of chickpeas into this light and creamy Hummus Cloud!