Day 67: Best Ever Diet Food

When you hear the word "diet," what foods come to mind? Carrot and celery sticks? All in one diet drinks? Low-fat ice cream worthy of the sink drain? If so, then you need to change your thinking with today's post!

Caraway-Spiced Chickpea Stew with Mint Yogurt
(adapted from May 2011 Food and Wine magazine)

2 large cans of chickpeas (or you can do the whole dried bean-soaking-cooking thing)

4 large carrots, cut into ½ inch pieces
Extra-virgin olive oil (keep bottle handy…it’s used throughout)
Salt and freshly ground pepper
2 large onions, cut into ½ inch pieces
2 teaspoons caraway seeds
3 teaspoons ground cumin
3 pounds Swiss chard, stems discarded and leaves chopped into ½ inch pieces
1 cup water
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 ½ cups plain low-fat yogurt
2 Tablespoons dried mint

Spread the carrots on a rimmed baking sheet, toss with 2 teaspoons of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for about 15 minutes, until barely tender.

In a large skillet, heat 6 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the onion and caraway and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally until the onion is golden about 15 minutes. Add the cumin and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.

Add the chard leaves and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until wilted, about 4 minutes.

Add the carrots, chickpeas and 1 cup of water and simmer over low heat for 6 minutes. Add the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.

In a small bowl mix the yogurt with the mint and 2 Tablespoons olive oil.

What you end up with is a delicious Mediterranean Stew that is smooth and savory! This is the Best Ever Diet Food!!!