Moody Girl Eats: Moroccan Spice Chickpeas and Spinach

I found this amazing recipe online a month ago and I knew that I had to try it.  The original recipe was Moroccan Spice Chickpeas and Spinach, but I added a little chicken and some quinoa for a fuller and complete meal.  If you have a chance to me this one, let me know what you think in the comments.

Moroccan Spice Chickpeas and Spinach [Adapted from Cook Republic]

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 brown onion, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 small red chili, seeded and finely chopped

2 tablespoons Moroccan Spice (see below)

1/2 cup tomato paste

1 pound of chicken breast

2 cups spinach leaves, coarsely chopped

400g can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

juice of half a lemon

salt and pepper to taste

Optional: 

1 cup of cooked quinoa (follow the directions on the package)

Moroccan Spice Mix 

Ingredients:

5 tablespoons ground cumin

5 tablespoons ground coriander

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon allspice

1 tablespoon ground paprika

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric

This spice mix makes about 10 tablespoons. Combine all ingredients in a dry bowl. Mix well. Store in airtight container in a cool corner of your pantry.

Directions:

Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.  Season chicken with salt and pepper and cut the chicken into cubes.  Cook the chicken over medium heat and set aside.  Cook onion, garlic and chili for about 5 minutes until soft. Add Moroccan spice and then mix well.  Add the tomato paste, cook for a minute and then add the chickpeas.  I added some water to the pan next because I wanted the mixture to be a little loose to cover the quinoa.  Then add the quinoa, chicken and spinach.  Cook, stirring occasionally until spinach has wilted (about 3 to 4 minutes).   Remove the pan from heat and stir in the lemon juice. Season the dish with salt and pepper to taste.

Current Mood – Top 3

I always love the fall collection at Anthropologie and this year they did not disappoint.  There are so many beautiful patterns and prints this month that I really had a tough time picking out my top 3 items.  Although my wish list on Anthro’s website has almost doubled, I was able to narrow my list down to 3 pieces. Anyways, here are my top 3 items from Anthropologie that I’m loving this month. Do any of you have any favorites that you can’t live without this month?  What’s on your wish list?  Let me know in the comments.

Grisaille Hourglass Dress

Merida Pencil Skirt

Strata Dress

Moody Style: Big Cats

I tend to go back and forth about whether shirts with animals on them would look silly on me.  When this shirt went on sale, I finally decided to break down and buy it.  And I’m so glad that I did.  I don’t know what took me so long.  I get compliments on this shirt every time I wear it.  Now I wish I got another one in a different print.  Do any of you have any regrets of clothes that you didn’t have a chance to buy? Or have you bought something that you’ve been putting off for a while because you were on the fence, only to discover that you love it?  Let me know in the comments.

Shirt: Anthropologie Here and There Tee; Necklace: Coach Link Necklace (old);

Earrings: Coach Hammered Flower Earrings; Pants: J.Crew Toothpick Jeans;

Watch: Coach Boyfriend Bracelet Watch; Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction Flip Flops