Indian Curried Chickpeas With Spinach Food

CHICKPEA SPINACH CURRY (CHANA PALAK MASALA)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium-high setting. Sauté the finely chopped onion until golden.
• Add the crushed garlic and grated ginger and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the garlic doesn't smell raw anymore.
• Mix in the next four ingredients (ground coriander, turmeric, cumin, and cayenne) and toast for two minutes stirring often.
• Add the crushed tomatoes, chickpeas and vegetable stock. Increase the heat to high and once boiling, lower to medium-low to maintain at a simmer for 10 minutes, stirring every now and then.
• Add 1/2 tsp salt, the sugar, and the spinach. If the spinach is frozen increase the heat until the curry is bubbling away again. Simmer for an additional five minutes.
• Add the garam masala, lemon juice and coconut milk and stir. Sprinkle over the chopped cilantro leaves and serve hot.

SPINACH & CHICKPEA CURRY

Steps:

• Heat the curry paste in a large non-stick frying pan. Once it starts to split, add the onion and cook for 2 mins to soften. Tip in the tomatoes and bubble for 5 mins or until the sauce has reduced.
• Add the chickpeas and some seasoning, then cook for 1 min more. Take off the heat, then tip in the spinach and allow the heat of the pan to wilt the leaves. Season, add the lemon juice, and serve with basmati rice.

SPINACH AND CHICKPEA CURRY

Steps:

• In a large heavy-based saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat and then add the garlic and onion.
• Cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes or until the onion begins to soften.
• Add the curry paste and mustard seeds, stir to mix, and cook a further minute.
• Add the potatoes with 2 cups water, bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently, uncovered, for around 20 minutes or until the potatoes are almost tender and most of the water has evaporated - it is a good idea to stir occasionally.
• While the potatoes are cooking, press as much liquid as possible out of the spinach through a sieve, then chop roughly.
• Add the chickpeas and spinach to the potato mixture.
• Cook for a further five minutes, until the potatoes are tender, stirring frequently to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• It may be necessary to add a splash more water, but take care the mixture does not become too wet.
• Stir in the paneer cheese and lime juice, and heat through gently.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve garnished with chopped cilantro.

COCONUT, CHICKPEA & SPINACH CURRY

Steps:

• Wash the rice a couple of times in cold running water, then leave to soak while you make the curry. Heat 1½ tbsp oil in a deep frying pan, and fry the onion for 10 mins until soft, but not turning golden.
• Add the garlic and fry for 1 min, then tip in the turmeric, cumin, garam masala and chilli powder, and toast for 30 seconds, stirring. Add the coconut milk and chickpeas. Simmer for 15 mins until the sauce has reduced slightly.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining ½ tbsp oil in a small pan with the cloves, cinnamon and a pinch of turmeric. Stir until the mixture smells fragrant. Drain the rice and add to the spices, stirring well to coat in the oil. Pour in 600ml boiling water, bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to low. Add a tight-fitting lid and simmer gently for 10 mins, without removing the lid.
• About 5 mins before the end of the curry's cooking time, stir in the spinach and break it up with a wooden spoon as it defrosts. Season well. Add the tamarind or lime juice to balance the sweetness of the curry. Serve in bowls with the fragrant, steaming rice, removing the large spices as you serve. Top with a pinch of the desiccated coconut, if using.

CHICKPEA CURRY

Steps:

• To make the paste, heat a little of the 2 tbsp oil in a frying pan, add 1 diced onion and 1 tsp fresh or dried chilli, and cook until softened, about 8 mins.
• In a food processor, combine 9 garlic cloves, a thumb-sized piece of peeled ginger and the remaining oil, then add 1 tbsp ground coriander, 2 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp garam masala, 2 tbsp tomato purée, ½ tsp salt and the fried onion. Blend to a smooth paste - add a drop of water or more oil, if needed.
• Cook the paste in a medium saucepan for 2 mins over a medium-high heat, stirring occasionally so it doesn't stick.
• Tip in two 400g cans drained chickpeas and a 400g can chopped tomatoes, and simmer for 5 mins until reduced down.
• Add 100g creamed coconut with a little water, cook for 5 mins more, then add ½ small pack chopped coriander and 100g spinach, and cook until wilted.
• Garnish with extra coriander and serve with rice or dhal (or both).

CHICKPEAS WITH TOMATOES & SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a wok and fry the onion over a low heat until softened. Stir in the garlic, ginger and chillies and cook for a further 5 mins until the onions are golden and the garlic slightly toasted.
• Add the turmeric, garam masala and cumin, stirring over a low heat for a few secs. Tip in the chopped tomatoes and add the tomato purée, then simmer for 5 mins.
• Add the chickpeas to the pan with 300ml water (fill the can three-quarters full). Simmer for 10 mins before stirring in the spinach to wilt. Season and serve with rice or naan.

CHANA MASALA (CHICKPEA CURRY) WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat a large non-stick pan and dry-fry the cumin seeds for 1 min, stirring often, while they pop. Remove and set aside. Cook the rice following pack instructions.
• Heat the oil using the same large pan, add the onion, garlic, ginger and chilli, and sauté over a medium heat for about 3 mins. Reduce the heat, add all the spices, stir well and cook for a further 2 mins.
• Add the tomatoes, stirring, and use the side of a spoon to break them up into smaller bite-sized chunks.
• Add the chickpeas and 200ml water. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 mins.
• Stir in the lemon juice and spinach. Let the spinach wilt, then remove the pan from the heat.
• Divide the rice between 2 bowls, and serve the curry. (The flavours intensify as it cools, so for a fuller flavour, make earlier in the day and reheat slowly prior to serving.)