Chickpea and Zucchini Tagine

Sexy food. Food so tantalizing that you find yourself licking your lips in anticipation. You can't wait to have it. When you finally take your first bite you are filled with sheer delight. You roll your eyes back in your head and moan in total satisfaction. It so satiating. It fills a need. It's everything you want it to be. You can't help it. You find yourself thinking of it throughout the day. It beckons you. That very thought of that sexy food is driving you crazy!

Sexy and sensual in just about every way it seduces all of your senses. The beauty of it, the sound of it, the smell, taste and touch. It awakens the senses. The soft, supple feel of bread dough in your hands. The cool creaminess of a treat that feels so good in your mouth. A ripe piece of juicy fruit that drips down your mouth and hands. A rack of ribs coated in barbecue sauce causing you to lick your fingers. The intoxicating smell of onions and garlic sauteing in a pan. Warm spices mixing to announce new and exciting flavors......promising something exotic and different. Food is the epitome of sexy.

The problem? Indulging in sexy food and buttoning one's pants do not usually go hand in hand. Let's face it. Comforting as they are, stretch pants are most definitely not sexy. Sometimes you have to scale it back a bit and when that happens, this Chickpea and Zucchini Tagine is both sexy and healthy.

Chickpeas, zucchini, tomatoes and onions are scented with warm spicy cumin and cooked down to a thick stew that is served over couscous. It makes for a very fragrant, satisfying, colorful meal that will call you back for more and make you feel good about it!!


Chickpea and Zucchini Tagine
Adapted from Kitchen Express by Mark Bittman
Cook chopped onion, a sliced zucchini, some ground cumin, a pinch of saffron, and some salt and pepper in olive oil (I used a teaspoon). When the onion is soft, add a can of drained chickpeas, along with a large can of chopped-up tomatoes, with their juice. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer and heat through; serve with a spoonful of plain yogurt and freshly chopped cilantro.

Notes/Results: Recipes like this making eating healthy fun. This is truly a wonderful meal served over couscous. I really enjoyed this dish. I had a cup of light coconut milk hanging out in the fridge, so I threw that in and it added a wonderful creaminess to the dish. A very tasty way to get in your veggies, fiber, and whole grains this is a meal that I would look forward to making again.

Weight Watchers Notes:
Makes 4 servings
(points include 1 cup of light coconut milk and 1 tsp. of olive oil)
5 points per serving, 6.5 with 1/2 cup couscous
*Most women range from 18-25 points per day, which makes this a wonderful choice.


I am submitting this to I Heart Cooking Clubs for this week's theme Damn, That's Sexy!

NOTE: Don't miss your chance to vote on our new chef/cook at I Heart Cooking Clubs. Will it be Giada De Laurentiis, Lidia Bastianich, Cat Cora, or Sara Moulton? It's your vote! Click HERE to be directed to our site and vote for your favorite.


I'm also submitting this to Roz's new blog hop @ La Bella Vita called Fresh, Clean and Pure Friday.