11th Hitchin's garbanzo stew page

The Scout Troop first had garbanzo stew at Summer Camp last year. They have had it several times since at camps and on a Youth Hostelling expedition. Its appearance on the menu attracts two responses, those who think it tastes pretty good, and those who think it tastes like well ..., something we won't go into here. It is easily made as the recipe below will show.

Setting out (on foot and bicycle) from Ivinghoe Youth Hostel, near Tring, after garbanzo stew!

Garbanzo stew is a Spanish recipe, or at least it has been adapted from a Spanish recipe book. Perhaps any Spaniards out there could confirm the authenticity of the recipe. "Garbanzo" is simply the Spanish for "chick pea". It will thus come as no surprise to learn that chick peas form the basis of the recipe.

If you like garbanzo stew, let us know, and if you don't, send us a better recipe. We'll try to put up our favourites, when we've tried some.

Here then is the recipe for garbanzo stew. It is enough for a patrol of about five.

Ingredients:

• Oil to fry with (ideally olive oil)
• 2 x large onions
• 2 x red peppers
• 4 x garlic cloves
• 2 x cans chopped tomatoes
• 4 x cans chick peas
• dried parsley and dried paprika

Method:

Chop peppers into small pieces (remove seeds first). Skin garlic cloves and chop into very small pieces. Peel and chop onions into small pieces. Fry peppers, onions and garlic in bottom of large dixie or saucepan for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and simmer gently for 5 minutes. Open cans of chick peas, drain off water and add to stew. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add 3 desert spoons of paprika, and 3 desert spoons of parsley. Simmer for further 5 minutes and then serve.

A few variations are possible. Garlic paste or other substitute may be used instead of fresh garlic. It is easier to handle at camp, and not so smelly as the real thing. Remember if you use fresh garlic to chop it into very small pieces; large pieces will taste very hot. Dried chick peas may be used instead of tinned - do not forget to soak them before use (follow the instructions with them). Finally fresh parsley may be used instead of dried - use about the same quantity as dried when finely chopped.

¡Muy Bien!

Christchurch Scouts & Guides home page Contact us