The bright flavour and warming heat of this dish are really wonderful on these chilly winter nights. I like to serve with steamed quinoa or thick slices of hot buttered sourdough.
Serves: 4
INGREDIENTS
1 onion, finely diced
4 cloves garlic, finely diced
1 carrot, finely diced
1 fennel bulb, layers pulled apart and cut into cubes
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
2 cup vegetable stock
2 x 400-gram tins chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 x 400-gram tins cherry tomatoes
1 bay leaf
2 pinches saffron threads
¾ teaspoon hot smoked paprika
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
zest of 1 lemon
large bunch silverbeet, trimmed of stalks and cut into thick ribbons (could also use kale or spinach)
sea salt and ground black pepper
3 tablespoons ghee or coconut oil for sautéing
To serve
fennel fronds to garnish
METHOD
Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large sauté pan over a medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, carrot and fennel bulb.
Cook gently for 5 minutes until the onion is translucent. Add the cumin and fennel seeds and sauté for 1 minute.
Add the stock, chickpeas, tinned tomatoes, bay leaf, saffron threads, paprika, thyme leaves and lemon zest. Bring to a boil and then simmer over a low heat for 60 minutes. Remove bay leaf.
Add the silverbeet and cook for 2–3 minutes until just wilted.
Season to taste. Garnish with roughly chopped fennel fronds.

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Issue #121
As winter arrives, so does the latest issue of dish! With over 60 recipes this edition features seasonal produce like pumpkin, leeks and silverbeet whipped into delicious dinners. Pasta takes centre-stage in 5 outrageously tasty recipes, then we break out the slow cooker and amp up the comfort with cozy roasts and braises. Winter wouldn’t be the same without a hearty pie or two, and we have a selection – from Beef Cheek Pot Pie to Moroccan Shepherd’s Pie. Food Fast has your speedy weeknight dinners covered then Melie brings the magic with inventive chicken dishes while Olivia’s baking and desserts will brighten the even the coldest days.