In the world of comforting dishes, there’s nothing quite like a bowl of curry to warm your soul and tantalize your taste buds. Today, we’re diving into a recipe that not only promises to deliver on flavor but also on health and simplicity. The Creamy Coconut Chickpea Curry is a vegetarian delight that’s as nourishing as it is delicious. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a curious novice in the kitchen, this recipe is designed to guide you through every step, ensuring a delightful culinary experience.
Ingredients: A Symphony of Flavors
This curry is a vibrant mix of fresh ingredients and aromatic spices, creating a dish that’s bursting with flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 Onion – Thinly sliced, it forms the base of our curry, adding sweetness and depth.
- 2 Fresh Garlic Cloves – Finely chopped or grated, garlic adds a punchy, aromatic quality.
- 1 Inch Fresh Ginger – Grating the ginger will infuse the curry with its warm, zesty flavor.
- 1 Tomato – Diced, it contributes to the curry’s tangy and juicy texture.
- 1 Tablespoon Oil – Vegetable, coconut, or sunflower oil works well for sautéing.
- 2 Tablespoon Tomato Sauce – It enriches the curry with its concentrated, sweet tomato flavor.
- 1 Can Chickpeas – The star of the dish, chickpeas add texture, protein, and a nutty taste.
- Spices – A blend of ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon each of turmeric, ground cumin, and ground coriander seeds, along with 1 tablespoon garam masala, creates a complex flavor profile.
- 2 Cups Coconut Milk – It brings creaminess and a slight sweetness, perfectly balancing the spices.
- Salt to taste – Optional, but it can enhance the overall flavors of the curry.
Directions: Crafting Your Curry
Creating this curry involves simple steps that lead to a rich and comforting meal:
- Prep Work: Begin by preparing your fresh ingredients. Slice the onion, chop or grate the garlic and ginger, and dice the tomato.
- Sautéing the Base: In a medium-sized pot, heat the oil and sauté the onion slices until they’ve softened. Maintain a medium to low heat to avoid burning.
- Adding Aromatics: Stir in the ginger and garlic, and continue to sauté over medium heat. This process releases their flavors, which form the aromatic base of the curry.
- Incorporate Tomatoes: Add the diced tomato and tomato sauce to the pot. Mix well and cook over medium to low heat, allowing the tomatoes to soften and meld with the other ingredients.
- Spicing It Up: Gradually stir in the chickpeas and all the spices. The combination of black pepper, cayenne, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and garam masala will infuse the curry with its characteristic warmth and depth.
- The Creamy Touch: Pour in the coconut milk and mix thoroughly. Increase the heat to medium and bring the curry to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer to Perfection: Cover the pot and let the curry cook for about 20 minutes over a low to medium heat. This slow cooking process allows the flavors to deepen and meld together beautifully.
- Final Seasoning: Taste your curry and, if desired, season with salt. This is the moment to adjust the seasoning to your preference.
Serving Suggestion
Serve this Creamy Coconut Chickpea Curry hot, accompanied by rice or flatbread. It makes a comforting meal that’s perfect for any day of the week.
Nutritional Info
For those mindful of nutrition, this curry is both healthful and satisfying. Each serving (this recipe serves 4) contains approximately 320 kcal. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy a balanced and flavorful meal that’s packed with proteins, healthy fats, and a variety of spices known for their health benefits.
Closing Thoughts
There you have it, a simple yet profoundly flavorful Creamy Coconut Chickpea Curry that’s bound to become a staple in your culinary repertoire. It’s a testament to how a few quality ingredients, combined with care, can create a dish that’s truly greater than the sum of its parts. Whether you’re cooking for one, for family, or for friends, this curry promises to deliver warmth, comfort, and a burst of flavors. Enjoy the process, relish the aromas, and most importantly, savor every bite.
Creamy Coconut Chickpea Curry
Ingredients:
1 Onion
2 Pieces Garlic Cloves, fresh
1 Inch Ginger, fresh
1 Tomato
1 Tablespoon Oil (Vegetable, Coconut, or Sunflower Oil)
2 Tablespoon Tomato Sauce
1 Can Chickpeas (see Notes)
¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper, ground
½ Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper, ground
1 Teaspoon Turmeric
1 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds, ground
1 Teaspoon Coriander Seeds, ground
1 Tablespoon Garam Masala
2 Cups Coconut Milk
Salt to taste (optional)
Directions:
Prepare your fresh ingredients. Slice onion, chop garlic and ginger (or even better, grate ginger), dice your tomato.
Heat up a medium-sized pot with oil and sauté onion slices until they have softened. Cook on a medium to low heat setting.
Stir in ginger and garlic and sauté over a medium heat setting.
Then add your tomato pieces and tomato purée. Mix it all in and keep over a medium to low-heat setting.
Continue to add in ingredients and reduce the heat setting to low. Stir in chickpeas and spices, including the black pepper, cayenne pepper, turmeric powder, ground cumin, ground coriander seeds, and garam masala.
Pour in Coconut Milk and mix it all in. Increase heat to medium.
Cook your curry covered for about 20 minutes over a low to medium heat setting so that the ingredients get cooked through and the curry gains on flavor.
Season with salt at the end (optional) and serve up hot with rice or flat bread.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Kcal: 320 kcal | Servings: 4