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Chickpea and Spinach Stew

A Spanish-style stew with chickpeas, frozen spinach, and smoked tomato broth over rice. Very filling, very cheap.

vegangluten-freechickpeasspinachricehigh-fiberhigh-iron
SERVES 4 559 CAL / SERVING 10 min PREP 30 min COOK $11.01 TOTAL
OVERDRAFT KITCHEN
★ ITEMIZED GROCERY RECEIPT ★
Chickpea and Spinach Stew
SERVES 4 · OTTAWA · 2026
3 cans (540 mL each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed $4.50
1 can (796 mL) diced tomatoes $2.00
300 g frozen spinach $1.87
200 g dry long-grain white rice $0.50
1 large onion, diced $1.07
4 cloves garlic, minced $0.32
1.5 tsp smoked paprika $0.07
1 tsp ground cumin $0.05
0.5 tsp turmeric $0.05
250 mL vegetable broth or water $0.47
1 tbsp olive or vegetable oil $0.06
to taste salt and black pepper $0.05
SUBTOTAL$11.01
GST / HSTyou've suffered enough
TOTAL$11.01
COST PER SERVING
$2.75
— — — TEAR HERE — — —
8 06420 01101 4
THANK YOU FOR SPENDING LESS
THE METHOD
1

Cook the rice according to package directions. Set aside.

2

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.

3

Add onion and cook 5 minutes until softened.

4

Add garlic, paprika, cumin, and turmeric. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.

5

Pour in the diced tomatoes and broth. Stir to combine.

6

Add the chickpeas. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered 10 minutes.

7

Add the frozen spinach directly from frozen. Stir and cook 5–6 minutes until fully thawed and heated through.

8

Use the back of a spoon to lightly mash some of the chickpeas to thicken the stew.

9

Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and paprika.

10

Serve over rice.

When the math doesn't work

Frozen spinach is much cheaper per kilogram than fresh and works better in stews.

  • Drop to 2 cans of chickpeas to reduce cost to about $9.00 — calories per serving will drop to approximately 455.
  • A can of white beans can substitute for one can of chickpeas if cheaper that week.
  • A squeeze of lemon over each serving adds brightness cheaply.
Nutrition Per Serving
559 Calories
24g Protein
92g Carbs
9g Fat
16g Fiber
390mg Sodium
~40% DV Iron~18% DV Calcium~25% DV Vitamin C

Estimated values per serving.

Gluten-Free

This recipe is naturally gluten-free.

All ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Verify vegetable broth if using — most are GF, but check labels.

Pricing updated June 2026 using Ottawa No Frills and Ottawa Walmart averages. Prices verified at Ottawa No Frills, June 2026. Chickpeas $1.50/540mL can. Diced tomatoes $2.00/796mL can. Chicken broth $1.69/900mL; 250mL = $0.47. Onion $1.07 each. Frozen spinach estimated from store-brand 400g bag.