Slow Cooker Cacciatore features chickpeas and potatoes instead of the traditional chicken. It's one of many easy and delicious recipes you'll find in The Vegan Slow Cooker by Kathy Hester.
I received a complimentary copy of The Vegan Slow Cooker to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
I admit I never jumped on the Crock-Pot® bandwagon when I learned how to cook.
I'm sure the reason was because my mom didn't have one, so I was never exposed to the magic that is slow cooking.
But better late than never, right?
And now that I've learned how to use the slow cooker function on my Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker, I'm getting on board!
Whether you're an expert at using a slow cooker or you're a novice like me, I think you will love The Vegan Slow Cooker, Revised and Expanded: Simply Set It and Go with 160 Recipes for Intensely Flavorful, Fuss-Free Fare Fresh from the Slow Cooker or Instant Pot® by Kathy Hester.
Slow Cooker Cacciatore with Chickpeas and Potatoes is a delicious "dump and go" vegan recipe.
You may be familiar with some of the other recipes by Kathy Hester I've shared like Instant Pot Indo-Chinese Corn Soup and Air Fryer Slow Batch Brownies.
When I picked up Kathy's revised slow cooker book, I was immediately drawn to the Slow Cooker Cacciatore.
But to be honest, many of the recipes are calling my name.
Did you know you can cook a whole head of cauliflower in your slow cooker?
I'm going to try it by making Curried Roast Cauliflower.
And I also have my eye on Slow Cooker Kung Pao, which you can make tofu, chickpeas, or cauliflower florets.
In addition, I love the idea of being able to make breakfasts that will be ready for me in the morning when I wake up.
Kathy has recipes for flavorful oats, quinoa, and even casseroles.
Check out the chapters to see what's included in this informative cookbook:
- Vegan Slow Cooker Basics
- No-Time-to-Prep Recipes
- Soups
- Stews
- Casseroles & Loaves
- Pasta & Grains
- Mains
- Sides
- Sandwich & Taco Fillings
- Breads
- Snacks & Appetizers
- Breakfasts
- Desserts
- Staples
And there are plenty of gluten-free, soy-free, and no oil added recipes to suit everyone.
So get ready for Asian Lettuce Wraps, Pumpkin White Bean Lasagna, Mango Coconut Rice Pudding, and much, much more!
But first let's talk about the incredibly flavorful Slow Cooker Cacciatore.
You can make Slow Cooker Cacciatore in a slow cooker or Instant Pot.
In Chapter 1: Vegan Slow Cooker Basics, I learned all about using these different appliances for set-it-and-go recipes.
If you want to use your Instant Pot like I did, you can make most of the recipes in this cookbook.
The exceptions will be the baking recipes, which Kathy says will fail in the Instant Pot.
On the other hand, your IP will work perfectly on the slow cooker setting when making Slow Cooker Cacciatore and the majority of the recipes.
I used the lid that comes with the Instant Pot but turned it to the vented position.
Or you can use a regular pot lid instead.
What is Vegan Slow Cooker Cacciatore?
Cacciatore means hunter in Italian.
While this stew traditionally contains chicken or game as the main ingredient, this hearty vegan version stars garbanzo beans and potatoes.
And there are also ingredients I remember my mom using in her Cacciatore when I was young, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, tomatoes, red wine, and fragrant spices.
Plus black olives, which while listed as optional in this Slow Cooker Cacciatore, I highly recommend adding after the stew is done cooking.
After mixing all the ingredients in your slow cooker or Instant Pot in the morning, the stew will cook for 7 to 9 hours on low.
When I used my IP, the potatoes were not cooked through after 7 hours, so I let it cook for another hour or so.
Next time I'll look for smaller potatoes or cut ones like I used a little smaller.
And I'll set the timer for at least 8 hours.
But the flavor was amazing, and this dish was a winner in my house.
Now let's make vegan Slow Cooker Cacciatore!
Chickpea Cacciatore with Potatoes
Ingredients
- 24 ounces baby potatoes , (1 bag) quartered
- 2 cans chickpeas, (15 ounces) drained (save liquid to use as aquafaba in other recipes)
- 1 pound mushrooms, sliced (can use all white, baby bella, or a combo)
- 2 cups chopped bell pepper, (use multiple colors if you can)
- 3 carrots, cut into coins
SAUCE INGREDIENTS
- 1 can, (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- ¼ cup red wine, (or 2 tablespoons [30 ml] balsamic vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground rosemary
SERVING INGREDIENTS
- ½ cup pitted black olives , (optional)
Instructions
- THE NIGHT BEFORE: Cut up the veggies. Add veggies and drained chickpeas to a sealable container, and mix. You can mix all the sauce ingredients together now, or wait until morning. Store everything in the fridge.
- IN THE MORNING: Mix the sauce and veggie-chickpea mixture together in your slow cooker. Cook on low 7 to 9 hours.
- Garnish with pitted black olives, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
David
Hi Amy. Just wondering why you suggest to garnish with the black olives, rather than cook them in, letting them impart their briny, olivey goodness to the whole dish? Do they overpower it? Or is it because there are some people who (gasp) do not like olives? Thanks!
Amy Katz
Hi David, this is actually a recipe created by Kathy Hester, so while I can't speak for you, I don't see a problem adding in the olives at the same time as the other ingredients.
Joyce
It looks good but I'm concerned about the amount of sodium in each serving.
Amy Katz
Hi Joyce, you may want to use no-salt tomatoes and leave out the olives.
Shannon
I have not made this yet but it sounds delicious! I have never had cacciatore before. Is it a stew or do you put it over like rice or something? Sorry for the probably stupid question bit i really have no idea! I will make this soon!!
Amy Katz
That's a great question, Shannon. Cacciatore is a stew. You can enjoy it over rice, noodles, or on its own with some crusty bread. I hope you enjoy the recipe!