Recipe: chickpea, cavolo nero and harissa stew
Tinned tomatoes are warmed by harissa paste and become the base for a versatile stew

Tinned tomatoes are great for making a rich sauce, whether as the main attraction or as a support act for other ingredients, said Samuel Goldsmith. Here, they're the perfect base for loading with veg and spicy harissa. Don't feel bound by these vegetables: I often swap the new potatoes for sweet potatoes, cavolo nero for spinach or cabbage, and the courgette for a red pepper.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed or finely chopped
- 1 courgette, chopped
- 350g baby potatoes, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1-2 tbsp rose harissa paste
- 1 × 400g tin chickpeas, drained
- 1 × 400g tin chopped tomatoes, plum tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
- 500ml vegetable stock
- 150g cavolo nero, tough stalks removed and leaves chopped
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
To serve
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
- parmesan cheese or vegetarian or vegan Italian hard cheese, grated (shredded)
- plain couscous or thick slices of crusty bread (optional)
Method
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan with a lid over a medium heat. Add the onion and fry for 8-10 minutes or until beginning to brown.
- Tip in the garlic and cook for 1 minute before stirring in the courgette and cooking for around 5 minutes or until starting to soften.
- Tumble in the potatoes, stir through the harissa and cook for 5-8 minutes or until the potatoes are beginning to colour.
- Scatter in the chickpeas and pour in the tinned tomatoes and stock. Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper and stir everything together, pop on the lid and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
- Check the liquid levels: the sauce should have thickened a little, but you still want plenty of juices. So, if it's getting slightly dry, pour in a splash of hot water.
- Once the potatoes are tender, stir in the cavolo nero and simmer for 3 minutes.
- Serve with a scattering of parmesan. This dish goes well with some couscous or slices of crusty bread, if you prefer.
Taken from The Tinned Tomatoes Cookbook by Samuel Goldsmith, published by Murdoch Books at £18.99. To buy from The Week Bookshop for £14.99, call 020-3176 3835 or visit theweekbookshop.co.uk.
Sign up for The Week's Food & Drink newsletter for recipes, reviews and recommendations.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
Cracks appear in MAGA's pro-Israel front
IN THE SPOTLIGHT As the world watches a humanitarian crisis unfold across Gaza, some of Israel's most staunchly conservative defenders have begun speaking out against its actions in the occupied territories
-
5 cultural trails to traverse by car
The Week Recommends Leave the hiking shoes at home
-
5 cultural and scenic trails to wander on four wheels
The Week Recommends Leave the hiking shoes at home
-
Gazer: 'paranoid noir chiller' is a gripping watch
The Week Recommends Ryan J. Sloan's debut film is haunted with 'skin-crawling unease'
-
William Kentridge: The Pull of Gravity – a 'bold' exhibition
The Week Recommends The South African artist brings his distinctive works to Yorkshire Sculpture Park
-
Sarah Dunant shares her favourite books
The Week Recommends The British novelist picks works by Sergeanne Golon, Jill Burke and Natalie Zemon
-
Time to land completely refreshed. Because it's one-and done with these pre-assembled toiletry kits.
The Week Recommends All the essentials in one place
-
Inter Alia: Rosamund Pike is 'electric' in gut-wrenching legal drama
The Week Recommends Australian playwright Suzie Miller is back with a follow up to her critically-acclaimed hit play Prima Facie
-
Unforgivable: harrowing drama about abuse and rehabilitation
The Week Recommends 'Catastrophic impact' of abuse is explored in 'thought-provoking' series
-
The Bad Guys 2: 'kids will lap up' crime caper sequel starring Sam Rockwell and Awkwafina
The Week Recommends 'Wittier and more energetic', this film 'wipes the floor' with the original