So next week it will officially be winter?!

This year is practically over. I mean I might as well pop in my elf dvd, start my christmas shopping and call it a day.

The last half of the year is always so crazy busy for us. We have several birthdays to celebrate every month from here on out which means we are busy with all that pesky birthday gift shopping, birthday cake baking, birthday party planning (←it’s a hard life I lead I know) and then before the last candle has even been blown out, boom – the holiday season is officially on us!

Next week winter will officially be upon us . . . and you know what . . . I can feel it. The mornings have definitely got that winter feel about them.  Crisp cool morning air , sipping coffee all bundle up, ugg boots on . . . and cozy evenings spent snuggled under blankets on the couch, drinking hot chocolate it really is my favourite season.

But sadly we can’t just sit around all day in our ugg boots drinking coffee . . . we have things to do, places to go, people to see, birthday gifts to buy and all that good stuff. Just because we are busy doesn’t mean we can’t come home to a hearty and comforting not to mention healthy and delicious dinner. This incredible dinner practically cooks itself with hardly any prep required.

Just a handful of ingredients, 6 if you don’t count the spices! Chop up a couple of carrots, an onion, and smash a clove of garlic then simply crack a few cans of chickpeas (garbanzo beans) and tomatoes, throw in some stock and spices and boomshakalocka, your’e on your way to flavour town!

Holla! Love it.

How good is a slow cooker?! Or is it a crock pot? Whatever you call it my friend, it’s time to bust that bad boy out and dust it off because we are putting it to work!

This chickpea curry is hearty, healthy and all kinds of delicious! The perfect vegetarian feast. Although many a meat eater has come, devoured and gone back for seconds of this dish in our house it’s just that good.

It has an incredible combination of spices that really does tantalise your taste buds. And feel free to add as much or as little cayenne pepper as you like . . . kick things up a notch of your feeling particularly spicy.

Serve simply with some of your favourite bread or with some brown rice or quinoa, this will warm your belly and your soul on these cool wintery days. Why not come home after a long day at work (or shopping) to a house that smells incredible and dinner sorted? Minimum time, maximum taste, that’s what Im talking ’bout!

Slow Cooker {Crock pot} Chickpea Curry
Serves 8+

Ingredients –

1 onion, finely chopped
4 large carrots, chopped into 1/2 inch  rounds
2 can diced tomatoes
2 can chickpeas/garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup chicken stock (can substitute with vegetable stock if you prefer)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
3/4  teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (more if you like things spicy!)

Optional but recommended for serving –

A few Tablespoons of your favourite coconut or Greek style yoghurt

Freshly chopped parsley

Wholewheat Sourdough or a few slices of your fave bread but I highly, highly recommend the Miche Sourdough from Sonoma – Seriously addicted!

Method –

Combine all ingredients in your slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high 4-6 hours.

Serve with a heaping dollop of greek yoghurt and generous sprinkling of fresh parsley along with a few slices of your favourite bread.

Enjoy xoxo

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Question of the day –

What’s your go to winter time comfort dish?