Chickpea Curry

Chef: Preeya Alexander

Serves: 4

Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups chickpeas dried – soak overnight in boiling water to soften (quickens the cooking time)
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp black mustard seeds
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 brown onion, sliced
• A handful of curry leaves
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp ginger crushed
• 1 tsp garlic crushed
• 1 chilli, deseeded and chopped
• 1 punnet cherry tomatoes – for colour and awesomeness
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• Boiling water (enough to cover chickpeas later)
• Coriander, to serve

For serving:

• 1 cup Greek yoghurt
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• Juice ½ a lemon
• Salt & pepper
• Basmati rice, cooked

Method

1. In a pan on medium heat add olive oil then add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, onion chopped and curry leaves.
2. Wait until the onion is slightly golden and meanwhile mix the garam masala, turmeric powder, ginger, garlic and chilli in a cup – you can add water to make a slight paste consistency.
3. Add to the pan and add some water so the spices do not burn.
4. When fragrant, add chickpeas and salt to taste (if desired).
5. Toss the chickpeas around so coated in spices and gently fry off for 5 minutes.
6. Add boiling water, enough to cover the chickpeas, the water will resorb over time.
7. Gently simmer stirring occasionally over 40 minutes.
8. Now add cherry tomatoes and stir through – continue to simmer for another 15-20 minutes so tomatoes become blistered, and the dish is done when the chickpeas are soft to touch.
9. Meanwhile prepare the simple raita on the side by combining yoghurt, lemon juice, salt, pepper and cumin powder (can add cucumber and carrot grated for more rainbows).
10. Serve the chickpea curry on a bed of rice with yoghurt on the side and coriander on top.