Moroccan Stew

This stew has a lot of flavors going on, with the sweet golden raisins and spicy-hot chilies, not to mention the spices and other savory flavors galore.  I know it might sound weird to put raisins in a stew, but for me they really make the dish!

Ingredients:

(Yield:  6-8 servings) 

• ½ lb beef, cubed
• 1 TB olive oil
• 2 medium-large onions, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 small chilies, minced (optional)
• 1 tsp coriander
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp curry
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 2 bouillon cubes
• 1 bay leaf
• 5 c water
• 1 (28 oz) can petit diced tomatoes (with the juice)
• 2 large carrots, diced
• 2 c chopped kale (slightly packed)
• ½ c red lentils
• ½ c brown lentils
• 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• ½ c golden raisins
• ¼ c fresh chopped parsley or cilantro (for garnish)

Method:

1. Brown the beef in the olive oil in a large pot over high heat; add the onion, garlic, chilies (if using), and spices and sauté until the onion is softened a little.  Add the black pepper, bouillon cubes, bay leaf, and water; cover the pot, bring it to a boil, and allow to simmer for an hour (or until the beef is tender).  Add the tomatoes, carrots, kale, red and brown lentils, and raisins; bring up to a boil, cover the pot, and allow to simmer for 30 minutes.  Stir in the chick peas and turn off the heat.  Serve with fresh chopped parsley on top.
2.  Serving Suggestions:  This stew is great by itself, but if you want to serve it with an accoutrement I recommend couscous (in true Moroccan style) or basmati rice.
3.  Substitutions for the Beef:  You can use any number of things in place of the beef.  Boneless, skinless chicken breast would be excellent – just brown the chicken, reduce the water to 4 cups, and add the veggies, there’s no need to simmer the chicken for an hour.  I think shrimp would be delicious – just reduce the water to 4 cups add the shrimp at the same time you add the chickpeas.  If you want a vegetarian stew you could leave out meat entirely, since the lentils and beans are good sources of protein. 
4.  Indian Stew:  Omit the raisins and paprika, add 1” of fresh grated ginger (sauté it with the garlic), increase the curry to 1 tsp, add 1 tsp turmeric, and add 1 TB lemon juice.