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This dish includes serrano chile peppers, which are a step up on the heat scale from jalapeños. If you think this may be too hot for you, you can substitute jalapeños or even mild bell peppers. Use a yellow pepper and that will be one more color in your dish!

Some peppers, even within the same family, are hotter than others. To test how hot a particular chile pepper is, cut it open and rub the inside of the pepper against your gum above your upper row of teeth.

Chickpea Curry with Sweet Potato

You may check the nutritional information for this chickpea curry and say “whoa, 56g of carb, that’s way too much for me at a meal.” Note that there’s also a whopping 18g of fiber per serving which should reduce the effects of the carbs. If you’re still nervous, simply reduce your portion size.

Can’t Find Garam Masala?

If you can’t find garam masala at your store, you can make your own. It may not be exactly the same, but it will do in a pinch.

Chickpea Curry with Sweet Potato

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A variation of chana masala, a popular Indian vegetable curry
Author: Adapted from The Cafe Spice Cookbook by Hari Nayak
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients 

  • 3 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon ground coriander
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 medium onion, (finely diced)
  • 2 serrano chiles, (seeds removed and minced)
  • ½ pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 1 medium potato)
  • 14 ounces diced tomatoes, drained, (1 can)
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup water
  • 30 ounces chickpeas, drained and rinsed, (2 cans)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves, (optional)
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach

Instructions

  • Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger. Stir fry for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
    3 tablespoons coconut oil, 1 tablespoon garlic, 1 tablespoon ginger
  • Add coriander and cumin and stir until fragrant, about 15 seconds.
    1 tablespoon ground coriander, 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • Add onions and chile peppers. Stir often, until onions begin to darken, about 10 minutes.
    1 medium onion, 2 serrano chiles
  • Add sweet potatoes and cook, stirring constantly so that the onions don’t stick. Add a little bit of water if necessary.
    ½ pound sweet potatoes
  • Add tomatoes, salt, garam masala, and cayenne pepper. Stir for 30 seconds.
    14 ounces diced tomatoes, drained, 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, 1 teaspoon garam masala, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Add the water and chickpeas. Bring to a simmer, then cook, partially covered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sweet potatoes should be easy to pierce with a fork, but not mushy.
    1 cup water, 30 ounces chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine lemon juice and fenugreek (if using). Set aside.
    1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, ½ teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves
  • Add spinach to the chickpea mixture and cook until it wilts, stirring occasionally.
    2 cups fresh baby spinach
  • Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice (and fenugreek, if using). Serve immediately.

Notes

If you don’t enjoy spicy (hot) food, replace the serrano chile with about 2 tablespoons minced green bell pepper and omit the cayenne pepper.
If you want to reduce the Sodium in this recipe, leave out or reduce the kosher salt. You can also use no-salt-added tomatoes (or fresh).
If you want to reduce the Saturated Fat in this recipe, use extra virgin olive oil instead of coconut oil.

Nutrition Info Per Serving

Nutrition Facts
Chickpea Curry with Sweet Potato
Serving Size
 
0
Amount per Serving
Calories
367
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
15
g
23
%
Saturated Fat
 
9
g
45
%
Trans Fat
 
0
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
0
g
Cholesterol
 
0
mg
0
%
Sodium
 
972
mg
41
%
Potassium
 
0
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
56
g
19
%
Fiber
 
18
g
72
%
Sugar
 
9
g
10
%
Protein
 
13
g
26
%
Vitamin A
 
0
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
0
mg
0
%
Calcium
 
0
mg
0
%
Iron
 
0
mg
0
%
Net carbs
 
38
g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.