Ingredients

• 1 whole head garlic, unpeeled
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Pinch freshly ground black pepper and sea salt
• 2 sweet red bell peppers, seeded and julienned
• 1 red finger hot chile pepper, seeded and minced*
• 3 scallions, thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Pinch sea salt
• 2 (28-ounce or 796 ml) cans whole, peeled, organic tomatoes, hand crushed
• Pinch brown sugar
• 3 cups canned chick peas, rinsed and drained
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 10 large fresh mint leaves, stacked, rolled up and sliced into ribbons (chiffonade)
• Handful fresh parsley, leaves picked and minced
• Whole-wheat pitas, cut into wedges and toasted, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Slice the top off of the head of garlic; lay it on some aluminum foil and drizzle with olive oil, and a pinch black pepper. Seal the aluminum foil over the garlic and roast for 40 minutes.
3. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the peppers and scallions to the pan, coat with salt, paprika, and cumin. Saute for 8 minutes. Pour in the hand-crushed tomatoes, brown sugar, sea salt, and freshly ground pepper. Let simmer for 20 minutes. Peel 8 cloves of roasted garlic and crush with a fork. Add the garlic, chick peas, lemon zest, mint, and parsley to the stew. Stir and heat through. Ladle stew into big bowls and serve with toasted whole-wheat pita wedges.