Spicy Chickpea and Potato Curry


Visit the Indian Food Glossary for information on the ingredients in this recipe
Spicy Chickpea and Potato Curry

I look forward to entertaining a special friend with my culinary creations next week, but in the meantime I cook just for me. How selfish is that when I have willing neighbors and friends eager to taste my food? Alas, I'm just not as motivated to fuss around in the kitchen during the summer months, opting instead to escape into the backyard with a book if possible.

Tonight's solution to solo dining was a simple chickpea curry served along with some plain basmati rice sprinkled with some tamari sauce. This is a dry curry and served with some cold yogurt, could almost pass as a salad. It proved to be a very refreshing summertime menu choice.


Spicy Chickpea and Potato CurrySpicy Chickpea and Potato Curry
Recipe by
Cuisine: Indian
Published on July 25, 2008

Simple, zesty and hearty Indian-spiced chickpea, potato and tomato curry

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Ingredients:
  • 1 1/4 cups dried chickpeas
  • 2 medium potatoes, cubed
  • 2 tablespoons ghee, butter or oil
  • 1 large onion, cut into thin strips
  • 3 to 4 fresh chilies, seeded and minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
  • juice from 1 lime (2 tablespoons)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt, or to taste
  • 1 small tomato, finely chopped
Garnish:
  • plain yogurt
  • 1 small tomato, cut into thin wedges
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, finely chopped
Instructions:
  • Rinse the chickpeas and soak for 8 hours or overnight in several inches of water. Drain and rinse, then transfer to a large saucepan and cover with several inches of fresh water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 1 to 2 hours or until buttery soft. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water, and set aside.

  • Meanwhile, boil or roast the potato until just tender.

  • Heat the ghee, butter or oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. When hot, add the onions and cook, stirring often, until the onions just begin to brown. Now add the chilies and spices, and continue to stir for 1 minute. Add the chickpeas, potatoes, lime juice, reserved cooking liquid, salt and chopped tomato. Cook for another 5 to 10 minutes, stirring often.

  • To serve, ladle some of the chickpeas into a bowl, top with a tablespoon or two of yogurt, a tomato wedge and a scattering of chopped parsley or cilantro.

Makes 4 to 6 servings

Spicy Chickpea and Potato Curry

13 comments:

Lisa Turner said...

If absolutely necessary, a 20 ounce can of precooked chickpeas could be substituted, but do get over your fears. While the beans boil, you can prepare the rest of the ingredients for the cauldron.

test it comm said...

This curry sounds nice and simple and tasty. I haven;t used dry chickpeas yet either, just the canned ones so far. I am going to have to do a comparison one of these days.

Usha said...

Very interesting,looks delicious:)

Mallika said...

Oooh chick peas look lovely. The stule is like a chaat, a dry, tangy salad. I've never used dry ones though. The cooked tinned ones are great and super time effective.

Aparna Balasubramanian said...

Looks lovely, Lisa. You seem to be cooking a lot of Indian food.
Btw, if you use a pressure cooker, cooking chickpeas takes about 15 minutes.

Astra Libris said...

Ooooh, I totally should have added potatoes to the cauliflower curry I fixed for solo me a week or so ago... Your curry is gorgeous!

Thistlemoon said...

That looks great Lisa - I love chickpeas and potatoes - this looks like something I would throw together myself - so I think that means I should! :)

Cynthia said...

This is a favourite of mine.

Padma said...

I love potatoes in any which way you offer! Combining with chick peas is brilliant.

Neen said...

I missed it ... where's the tamari (tamarind?) sauce in the recipe?

Laura said...

Yum this looks wonderful. I love potatoes in Indian food.

I have an award for you:
http://thespicedlife.blogspot.com/2008/08/award-to-pass-on.html

Unknown said...

My neighbor came over to my house and yelled at me over my dog!

I have a dog that I can't keep in my yard. I have tried everything and she always finds a way out. Anyway, this lady comes to my home, knocks on my door and when i open the door she points her finger at me and yells obscenities at me. Apparently my dog was in HER neighbors garbage and then pooped on HER NEIGHBORS LAWN! Why didn't she come and talk to me like a civil human being? Why was she a vicious monster attacking me at my door? I calmly went over to HER NEIGHBORS house where the garbage was and picked up every piece, and the dog poop. I agree that I have that responsibility to clean up after my dog. The one thing I don't agree upon is someone coming to my house and screaming in my face about something I didn't know about. Is anyone out there been blessed with a psyco-neighbor?
I don't think anyone remembers the golden rule...Do unto others as you would want done unto you!
I sent them a lovely card from this site I found...www.URAJerk.com

basil said...

Delicious. I recommend using butter over oil ;)