Moroccan Spiced Chickpeas and Spinach

recipe from: http://www.cookrepublic.com/recipe-archive/moroccan-spice-chickpea-and-spinach/

Spice Mixture

Shown served with Quinoa

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
6 garlic cloves, finely chopped (jarred kind works fine)
2 small red chilis, seeded and finely chopped
4 tablespoons Moroccan Spice (see below)
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup tomato paste
1/2 cup water or low sodium vegetable broth
3 to 4 cups spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
~30oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
juice of half a lemon

Spice Mix (makes about 10 Tbsp so you could half it, or save the rest in an airtight container):
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

Directions:
First, mix together all of the spices.
Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Cook onion, garlic and chili for about 5 minutes until soft. Add Moroccan spice. Mix well.
Add tomato paste. Cook for a minute. Add water until desired consistency is reached. Add the spinach and chickpeas. Cook, stirring occasionally until spinach has wilted (about 3 to 4 minutes). Remove from heat.
Stir in the lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with coriander (optional).

Chili Seasoning

2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp crushed red pepper
1 Tbsp dried minced onion
1 Tbsp garlic powder
1 tsp white sugar
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried parsley
1/2 to 1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne
1 tsp paprika (normal or smoked)
1 tsp onion powder


instructions:
mix all ingredients in a bowl. Add to your favorite chili recipe.


My Chili recipe:

1 batch chili seasoning
1 can red kidney beans
1 can black beans
2 (or 3) 8-oz cans tomato sauce
1 package vegetarian "beef" crumbles (like boca or morningstar)

brown "beef" in a large saucepan. Add sauce and both cans of beans (I usually drain and rinse the black beans but keep the liquid from the kidney beans.). Add seasoning and simmer for 10-15 minutes. If you need more liquid, add water or more tomato sauce. Server with your choice of toppings (frito's scoops, shredded cheese, avocado, etc.)