Chickpeas with dates, turmeric, cinnamon and almonds

2 HOURS | SERVES 4 EASY | LC GF

Slow cooking chickpeas with a heady selection of spices really ramps up the flavour in this frugal dish. Try to get hold of the extra large, chubby chickpeas in jars for superior texture.

plum tomatoes 400g tin pitted dates 100g, halved olive oil 2 tbsp, plus extra to serve garlic 4 cloves, finely chopped ginger finely grated to make 1 tbsp coriander a small bunch, stalks and leaves separated and roughly chopped ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp ground turmeric 1 tsp cinnamon stick 1 lemon Ω, juiced, plus 2 strips of the zest with pith removed large chickpeas 660g jar, rinsed and drained (or use 2 x 400g tins) flaked almonds 40g, toasted orange 1 small, cut into wedges, to serve couscous to serve

• Heat the slow cooker to high or low, depending on desired cooking time.

• Put Ω the tomatoes and Ω the dates into a blender. Whizz to a purée, then tip into the slow cooker with the remaining tomatoes.

• Add the oil, garlic, ginger, coriander stalks, spices, the lemon zest and 100ml water to the slow cooker. Season and cook for 1-2 hours on high or 4-6 hours on low until the sauce is thick and rich-tasting.

• Stir in the chickpeas and the remaining dates, and cook for 30 minutes more to warm through. Add the lemon juice and check the seasoning once again, adding more if necessary. Remove the lemon zest. • Serve the chickpeas with a drizzle more olive oil, the toasted almonds and chopped coriander, with the orange wedges and couscous on the side.

PER SERVING 370 KCALS | FAT 15.1G SATURATES 1.7G | CARBS 39.7G | SUGARS 20.9G FIBRE 9.7G | PROTEIN 13.9G | SALT 0G