The cold weather makes this Butternut Squash Soup a must-try this week. This beautiful vegetable, teamed with coconut milk, creates a soup combo made in heaven. We top ours with chilli flakes to give it the perfect spicy edge that deserves a place in the family cookbook!
Takes 20 minutesminutes
Serves 6
Ingredients
3clovesof garlic
1onion
2carrots
1medium butternut squash800 g – 1 kg
1x 400 ml tin of low-fat coconut milk
2litres of vegetable stock
2tspsalt
1tspblack pepper
Chilli flakesto taste
Roasted pumpkin seedsfor garnish
Instructions
Prep the vegetables by finely slicing the garlic and onion.
Peel and chop the butternut squash and carrots into equal-sized pieces (they can be rough since the soup will be blended).
Heat a large non-stick pot on high heat.
Once hot, add the sliced onion and fry for about 4 minutes until soft, stirring occasionally. If it starts to stick, add 3-4 tablespoons of water to deglaze the pan.
Add the minced garlic and fry for a further minute until fragrant.
Add the roughly chopped carrots and butternut squash to the pan, seasoning with 2 tsp of salt and adding a couple of sprigs of fresh thyme.
Pour in the low-fat coconut milk and 2 litres of vegetable stock, then add 1 tsp of black pepper.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat.
Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed.
Blend the soup until smooth using an immersion blender or food processor.
Ladle the soup into bowls and top with toasted pumpkin seeds and a sprinkle of chilli flakes.
This delicious vegetable-based alternative to the traditional Spanish seafood dish has always been one of the most popular recipes on this course. It’s naturally low in fat and calories, and high in nutrition.We cook the vegetables in a rich tomato sauce, and instead of using the traditional white sticky rice, we use short-grain brown rice to keep your heart happy!(*In the image, we have crushed cashews and olives on top, which pair well with the dish. If you choose to add them, use just a few as garnish).
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
200gshort-grain brown rice
500mlvegetable stock
¼tspground turmeric
½a medium carrot or 1 small carrotapproximately 100g
2clovesof garlic
1small leek
1red pepper
1courgette
2tspsalt
2tbspred wine
1x 400ml tin of chopped tomatoes
2tspmixed herbs
¼tspground black pepper
¼tspsmoked paprika
1tbspmaple syrup
1.5tbsptamari
Juice of ½ lemon
50gsugar snap peas or baby spinach
1bunch of a fresh herb of your choicee.g., basil, chives, or mint
Instructions
Cook the Rice: Place the rice and vegetable stock in a pot. Add the turmeric and mix it thoroughly through the rice to give it a lovely yellow colour. Cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar and cook on high heat. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low, keeping the lid slightly ajar, and simmer until all the water is absorbed (about 30-40 minutes).
Prepare the Vegetables: In a bowl, grate the carrot. De-seed and chop the red pepper and cut the courgette into bite-sized pieces. Finely chop the leek (use both the white and green parts) and peel and finely chop the garlic.
Cook the Vegetables: Place a large non-stick saucepan over high heat. Once hot, add the leek and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly. If the mixture starts to stick, add a couple of tablespoons of water and scrape off any charring from the bottom of the pan.
Add More Vegetables: Add the grated carrot, courgette, and chopped red pepper along with the salt. Cook for another 4 minutes, stirring regularly. If needed, add a bit of water to prevent sticking.
Combine Flavours: Add the red wine, chopped tomatoes, mixed herbs, black pepper, smoked paprika, maple syrup, tamari, and lemon juice. Stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Adjust Liquid if Needed: If all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is not yet tender, add a bit more boiling water and mix well.
Final Steps: While the rice finishes cooking, chop the sugar snap peas in half and finely chop your chosen fresh herbs.
Combine and Cook: Once the rice is cooked (soft and fluffy), add the tomato and vegetable sauce along with the sugar snap peas. Mix everything well and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Season and Serve: Taste the dish and season with salt and pepper if necessary. Garnish with the chopped fresh herbs and serve. Enjoy!
Creamy, spicy, crispy, and oh-so-delicious! These quesadillas are low in fat, oil-free, and take just 10–15 minutes to make. They work wonderfully as a quick dinner or healthy snack. Although tamari isn’t traditionally Mexican, Dave jokingly mentioned finding a bottle in an Asian store while in Mexico! It adds excellent flavour and saves time, so it's worth using if you have it.
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
4wholewheat or corn tortillas
400gtinned black beans
2spring onions
½red onion
10cherry tomatoes
1red chilli
1avocado
1tspcumin seeds
1tspground cumin
¼tspsmoked paprika
¼tspground cinnamon
¼tspground black pepper
1tspground coriander
1tbsptamari
Pinchof salt
Juice of ½ lemon or 1 lime
Small bunch of fresh coriander
100gcashew nuts
80mloat milk
½tspgarlic powder
1tsplemon juice
½tspsalt
Instructions
Prepare the Cashew Cheese Sauce:Soak the cashew nuts in boiling water for 5 minutes.Drain and rinse the nuts, then add them to a blender along with the oat milk, garlic powder, lemon juice, and salt. Blend until smooth. Set aside.
Prepare the Filling:Heat a non-stick pan over high heat.Add the red onion, spring onions, and red chilli. Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring continuously.Add the cumin seeds, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cinnamon, ground black pepper, ground coriander, tamari, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Fry for 30 seconds.Stir in the black beans and cherry tomatoes. Mash slightly while cooking for another 2 minutes. Set the filling aside.
Assemble the Quesadillas:Clean and dry the pan. Heat it over medium-high heat.Place one tortilla in the pan and warm it for 10 seconds.Spread approximately 3 tablespoons of the cashew cheese sauce over the tortilla.Add a generous dollop of the black bean filling onto one half of the tortilla. Top with sliced avocado, a sprinkle of fresh coriander, and some chopped chilli.Fold the tortilla in half. Cook until the edges begin to brown and crisp.Remove from the pan, transfer to a chopping board, and slice.
Repeat for the Remaining Tortillas:Follow the same process for the remaining tortillas and fillings.Store any leftover cashew cheese in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Serve and Enjoy:Serve the quesadillas hot with additional cashew cheese, lime wedges, or a side of salsa if desired.
Here’s our take on the old Irish classic: we top a rich super tasty lentil mix with mashed sweet potato and drizzle with a simple coriander pesto – delicious. The coriander pesto sets this dish alight and it presents really well drizzled on top before serving. Serve with a simple green salad.
Takes
Serves 8
Ingredients
3 X400gtinned lentils(rinsed and drained)
2parsnips(grated)
2bay leaves
6sprigs of fresh thyme(leaves removed from the stalk generous 1/2 tsp black pepper)
3tbsptamari
1lVeg stock
100ggreen beans(cut into bite sized pieces)
2tbspoil
1kgsweet potato(3 medium washed well, blemishes taken out (unpeeled) , cut into uniform pieces)
500gregular potato(washed well, unpeeled and uniformly cut)
150mloat milk or other non-dairy milk of your choice
1tspsalt
A pinch of ground black pepper to taste
1bunch coriander(both leaves and stalks (approx. 50g))
a pinch of black pepper
3clovesgarlic(peeled and left whole)
juice of half a lemon
½tspsalt
100mlneutral tasting oil
100mlwater
Instructions
Preheat oven to 180ºC (350ºF, Gas Mark 4).
Chop the sweet potatoes and regular potatoes into a uniform size so that they will cook evenly. Put them into a medium sized pot, cover with water and boil until soft, about 20-25 minutes.
In another medium sized pan, add 2 tbsp oil and grate in the 2 parsnips.
Add the thyme leaves and fry for a minute before adding in the lentils and then the tamari. Slowly add in the veg stock so it starts to evaporate and the lentils start to absorb it slowly. Add 1/2 a heaped tsp of black pepper and then the rest of the veg stock, letting it slowly evaporate.
While these two pots are cooking you can make the coriander pesto by adding all the pesto ingredients to a blender and blend till smooth.
Once this is done, you will see that the liquid in the lentil mixture has evaporated significantly. Make sure that there is still a decent bit of moisture so that the potatoes will absorb it. Add in the fine beans and mix through the hot lentil mixture, letting them cook in that heat.
The potatoes should now be ready (a knife cuts through them very easily). Drain the water and add 1 tsp salt and the oat milk. Then mash them all together.
Remove the bay leaves and then line the lentil and veg mix at the bottom of a casserole tray, drizzle some of the coriander pesto on top of the lentil mix and distribute the mash evenly on top. Score it with a fork to make it look nice and even.
Bake in the oven for 25 minutes until it crisps along the top.
Finish by drizzling with the remaining coriander pesto before serving. Enjoy!
The idea of cooking a curry in 5 minutes might seem a little far fetched but once you cook this you will become a believer! Its a wonderful recipe to have in your repertoire as its so tasty and easy to make and you can easily adapt it to what ingredient you have and also to your pallet
A Dahl is generally applied to any curry that is lentil based. The reason why this works so well while only taking 5 mins is that we use fast cooking veg and also pre cooked beans and lentils. The main flavour agents are what is known as an Indian stock where we use onion or in this case scallions or green onions along with garlic, ginger and chilli as the base flavours which all other flavours hang off. The main liquid part of the sauce is comprised of coconut milk and chopped tomatoes, the coconut milk bring a sweet richness which balances out the acidity from the chopped tomatoes. The spinach add more nutrients to this dish and once it has wilted it add almost a creamy like texture and a beautiful bright contrasting colour.
FAQ – frequently asked questions
What can i use instead of coconut milk?
You can simply use water or veg stock in place and it will result in a more lighter and lower in fat version. Alternatively you could use oat milk or non dairy milk of choice however it wont be as indulgent or as rich. Lastly you could substitute with a cashew cream sauce.
Can i use other beans that lentils
Absolutely! You could use any cooked beans or lentils of choice, some of our favourites are butterbeans, blackbeans and lentils.
Can i freeze this dish?
Yes indeed it freezes really well and heats up great. We suggest freezing it in portions so you only have to reheat what you need so it avoids wastage.
How am i best storing this?
Allow it to cook and store it in a reusable tub in the fridge. It will last for 2 days in the fridge.
If i dont have green onions or scallions can i use regular ones?
Yes indeed, white onions, red onions, or even leeks can work in place, the onions function as the base flavours, they will just require longer to caramelise so the dish will take you more like 10 mins or even 15 mins to make
How long does this Dahl last in the fridge?
It will last for 2 days in the fridge
Serving suggestions for this 5 mins Dahl?
Although from a totally different continent and different ethnicities – middle eastern dips go amazing with a dahl, here is our favourite middle eastern sharing mezze plater.
If you are doing an Indian feast like dinner here is a recipe for a beautiful vegan butter chickn curry that is so creamy
Another recipe hailing from a totally different continent yet goes great great is this sticky toffee pudding recipe.
Our favourite Chickpea & lentil recipes
Here’s a lovely simple lower fat dahl recipe great for weight management
A split Red lentil Dahl is always one of our favourite meals and is so soothing
The idea of cooking a curry in 5 minutes might seem far-fetched, but once you try this recipe, you'll be a believer! It's a wonderful addition to your repertoire, as it's both tasty and easy to make, with room to adapt to the ingredients you have on hand. To make it lower in calories, omit the oil and use water to 'deglaze' the pan if any vegetables start to stick.
Takes 5 minutesminutes
Serves 3
Ingredients
400gchickpeastin of cooked chickpeas
400gcooked lentilstin
3clovesgarlic
20gsmall nub of ginger
5scallions/spring onions
2tbspoil
50gbaby spinach
400gcoconut milktin
½lime or lemonjuice
15gfresh coriander
10cherry tomatoes
2tbspcurry powder
1tspsaltadjust to taste
2tspground cumin
½tspturmeric
½tspblack pepper
2tbsptamari or soy sauce
3wholemeal pitta breadstoasted to serve
Instructions
Drain and rinse the chickpeas and lentils. Peel and finely chop the garlic and ginger, chop the scallions, and halve the cherry tomatoes. Pick the coriander leaves and finely chop the stalks.
Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan over high heat. Add the garlic and ginger to the pan, then reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the scallions, cherry tomatoes, coriander stalks, and 1 tsp of salt to the pan. Cook for a further minute.
Add the coconut milk, lentils, and chickpeas. Stir well. Then, add the curry powder, ground cumin, turmeric, remaining salt, black pepper, tamari/soy sauce, and lime juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes.
A few minutes before serving, add the spinach to wilt. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve with toasted pitta breads, fresh coriander, and chilli flakes, if desired. Enjoy!
We love Dahl and have been cooking it at home and in our cafe for years! This red lentil Dahl is of our oldest and favourite recipes. Vegan, gluten free and made with no oil, yet so tasty and comforting. A great recipe for batch cooking too! We hope you try it!
This Red lentil Dahl recipe is delicious. Dahl is one of the most widely eaten dishes in the world, well in India anyway! A delicious smooth lentil based curry that melts in your mouth! It is like a warm hug on a cold day and definitely is comforting! We have been making Dahl for years. It is a real staple on our Happy Pear cafe menu most weeks in some form, whether made with red lentils or mung beans, with coconut milk or without, oven baked or cooked in a pot. There are so many ways to get from A to Dahl!This recipe is easy to follow and is a good basis to start your Dahl cooking adventure on.. As it is a recipe from our Happy Heart Course it is low in fat, high in fibre and full of heart healthy nutrition.
FAQ – frequently asked questions
Can I use tinned cooked lentils instead of dry lentils ?
Yes, it’s no problem to use tinned lentils. Just use 2-3 400g tins of lentils and drain and rinse before using. And only use approx 500ml of water.
What if I don’t have all the spices in the recipe?
No problem, simply use an equal amount of curry powder in place of all the different spices.
Can I freeze this dish?
Yes indeed it freezes really well and heats up great.
How am I best storing this?
Store it in a reusable tub in the fridge. It will last for 2 days in the fridge.
If i don’t have fresh tomatoes can I use tinned tomatoes?
Yes indeed, simply use a 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
This smooth red lentil Dahl melts in your mouth and will leave you coming back for more. An easy homemade vegetarian curry recipe that is super simple, quick and comforting!
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
500gred lentils
2red onions
3clovesof garlic
½a thumb-size piece of ginger
1courgette
4medium ripe tomatoes
2tspsalt
2tspground cumin
pinchof cayenne pepper
1tspground turmeric
3tspmedium curry powder
1tspfreshly ground black pepper
3tbsptamari
juice of 1 lime
small bunch of fresh coriander
Instructions
Peel and finely slice the onions, garlic and ginger. Cut the courgette into bite-size pieces and roughly chop the tomatoes
Saute the onions, garlic and ginger in 4 tbsp of water in a large pan on a high heat for 5 minutes. Stir regularly, adding more water if they start to stick to the bottom of the pan. When the onions are soft, add the courgette, tomatoes and 1 tsp salt. Cover the pan and cook gently over a low heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the lentils, spices, tamari, lime juice, the remaining salt and 2 litres of water, and bring to the boil. Reduce to a low heat and simmer for 25 minutes, or until you are happy with the texture of the dahl. Stir regularly, as lentils have a tendency to stick
Finely chop the coriander and sprinkle over the dahl. Serve with brown rice or toasted wholemeal pitta breads, cut into soldiers. Mango chutney is also a nice accompaniment
A deliciously sweet treat that’s as nourishing as it is comforting! Perfect to enjoy with a cup of tea and a good chat with a friend.
Takes
Serves 10
Ingredients
100gchocolate chips or chocolatechopped into chips
200gwhite flourwhite spelt, buckwheat, or gluten-free flour
1.5tspground cinnamon
2tspbaking powder
½tspbread sodabicarbonate of soda
120mlsunflower or coconut oil
150gliquid sweetenersuch as maple syrup, agave syrup, or brown rice syrup
2tbspground flaxseeds
6tbspwater
3ripe bananas
50gwalnutsroughly chopped or crushed
Instructions
Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F).
Prepare the Flax Mixture: In a glass or cup, combine the ground flaxseeds and water. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes, until it forms a gel-like consistency.
Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the flour, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and bread soda. Stir to combine.
Blend the Wet Ingredients: In a blender, add the peeled bananas, sunflower or coconut oil, liquid sweetener, and the flax mixture. Blend until smooth.If you don’t have a blender, simply mash the bananas in a bowl and thoroughly mix in the other wet ingredients until smooth.
Mix the Batter: Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir until a smooth batter forms.
Add the Chocolate Chips and Walnuts: Fold the chocolate chips and chopped walnuts into the batter until evenly distributed.
Prepare the Baking Tray: Line a baking tray (approximately 23cm x 15cm x 5cm) with baking parchment.
Pour and Decorate: Pour the batter into the lined tray. For added decoration, slice a banana lengthwise and place it on top of the batter. Scatter a few extra chocolate chips on top if desired.
Bake: Bake for approximately 60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
CoolandServe: Allow the banana bread to cool in the tray, then slice and enjoy!
This is a low-calorie, super easy light Dahl. It is one of our most popular recipes! Enjoy served with toasted pitta breads and some brown rice.
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
3clovesof garlic
1small piece of ginger(½ thumb sized piece)
5scallions (or spring onions)
1 x400gtin of chickpeas
1 x 400gtin of cooked lentils
1handful of baby spinach
1 x400gtin of chopped tomatoes
200mlveg stock
Juice of 1 lime
1tbspmaple syrup(or sweetener of choice)
1smallbunch of coriander
10cherry tomatoes
1tbspcurry powder
1tspturmeric
2tspground cumin
1tspcumin seeds
½tspfennel seeds
2tbsptamari
pinchof salt to season
Serving suggestion
Toasted wholemeal pittas (or fresh coriander)
Instructions
Drain and rinse the chickpeas and lentils.
Peel and finely chop the garlic and ginger. Chop the scallions (spring onions) and halve the cherry tomatoes. Pick the coriander leaves and finely chop the stalks.
Heat a large non-stick pan over high heat. Add the cumin seeds and fennel seeds to the pan and toast for 30 seconds.
Add the chopped scallions, garlic, and ginger to the pan. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the ground cumin, curry powder, and turmeric, and cook for another 20 seconds.
Add the cherry tomatoes and a pinch of salt.
Add the drained lentils, chickpeas, chopped tomatoes, and the vegetable stock. Stir well.
Add the tamari, spinach, lime juice, and sweetener (if using). Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 2 minutes.
Stir in the chopped coriander before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve with toasted pitas and garnish with fresh coriander leaves. You can also add chilli flakes if desired. Enjoy!
If you’re looking for a delicious, healthy whole food plant-based snack, you’ve come to the right place. These sweet potato fritters are incredible, bursting with flavour and texture. They make great sandwich fillings or can be enjoyed on their own in your lunch box. We highly recommend trying them with hummus!
Takes
Serves
Ingredients
1kgsweet potato
1red onion
2clovesof garlic
1x 400 g tin of chickpeasrinsed and drained (280 g net weight)
Few leaves of chopped coriander
1tspsalt
3tsptamari
2tspground cumin
Generous pinch of black pepper
½red chillichopped finely
½lemonjuiced
150gpeas
3tbspsieved gram flour
1pinchof saltfor coating
1pinchof black pepperfor coating
50mlwaterfor coating
1 ½tbspoiloptional
Instructions
Roast the Sweet Potatoes:Preheat your oven to 180°C (fan).Chop the sweet potatoes into small chunks and place them on a baking tray.Roast for 25 minutes or until cooked through.
Prepare the Fritter Mixture:In a large mixing bowl, finely chop the garlic, red onion, red chilli, and coriander.Once the sweet potatoes are roasted, mash them together with the chickpeas, 1 tsp of salt, tamari, ground cumin, a generous pinch of black pepper, and lemon juice until well combined.
Incorporate Peas:Add the peas to the mixture and gently mix through until evenly distributed.
Shape the Fritters:Flatten out the mixture and cut into desired shapes. A 7-8 cm scone cutter works well for this.
Prepare the Coating:In a separate bowl, mix the sieved gram flour with a generous pinch of salt, a pinch of black pepper, and water to create a coating mixture.
Cook the Fritters:Heat a non-stick pan over high heat. Once hot, reduce to medium-high heat.Coat each fritter in the gram flour mixture and fry in the pan until golden, about 3 minutes per side.Repeat until all fritters are cooked.
Serve:Allow the fritters to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with hummus or your preferred dipping sauce!
This is such a crowd pleaser! It's a super quick, easy dinner using store cupboard staples! Give it a go! X
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
300gdried wholemeal penne
SAUCE
100gcashew nuts – soaked overnight or soak in boiling water for 10 mins
500mloat milk
1tspsalt
¼tspfresh ground black pepper
1tspgarlic powder
juice of 1/2 a lemon
100gjarred roasted red peppers
TO GARNISH
20gfresh basil
Instructions
Cook your pasta as per instructions on the pack in well salted water. While it is cooking time to make the creamy red pepper sauce sauce.
Blend all ingredients for the sauce (except the basil) till smooth.
Drain the pasta, keeping some pasta water aside. Add the drained pasta and cashew sauce to the empty pot, mix well over low heat until warmed through, adding a few tablespoons of pasta water if needed and simmer until the sauce has thickened nicely to your desired consistency.
Pick the basil leaves and roughly chop. Taste and season before serving with the chopped basil. Enjoy!!
This Bombay potato recipe is our take on the classic Indian recipe. In our vegan version we add aubergine and cook it until they melt in your mouth, they go perfectly with the potatoes. This is a great family dish and easy to make for batch cooking and freezing. Enjoy!
Prep time : 5 mins | Cook time : 20 mins | Total time : 25 mins |
Makes: 4 Servings| Difficulty: Beginner
This Vegan Bombay potato and tomato curry recipe is so comforting. Our take on the the classic Indian dish is tasty, easy to make and great for batch cooking and freezing, it ticks all the boxes. It is one of our go to curry recipes and the potatoes and aubergines soak up all the delicious spices and are melt in your mouth tender when cooked. This potato curry recipe works great as a main course with some naan or pita and vegan yoghurt or as a great side dish served with salad and any of your other favourite Curry recipes.
FAQ – frequently asked questions
Can I substitute the Aubergine?
Yes of course, aubergines work really well in this curry . But you could use tofu or courgette instead.
What if I don’t have all the spices in the recipe?
No problem, simply use an equal amount of curry powder in place of all the different spices.
Can I freeze this dish?
Yes indeed it freezes really well and heats up great.
How am I best storing this?
Store it in a reusable tub in the fridge. It will last for 2 days in the fridge.
Can I leave out the chilli if I don’t like heat ?
Absolutely, just leave out if you prefer less spice.
How long does this dish last in the fridge?
It will last for 2 days in the fridge
Can I substitute the fresh coriander?
Yes, you can use parsley or your favourite leafy green herb.
Serving suggestions for this Bombay potato recipe ;
A traditional Bombay potato curry is usually a dry dish, but here we’ve elevated it with a saucier, stew-like twist. The aubergines become soft and ‘melt in your mouth,’ complementing the spiced potatoes perfectly. This recipe uses an array of spices for a rich, aromatic experience. If you prefer a milder aniseed flavour, reduce the fennel seeds to ½ tsp. The dish can be made oil-free if needed by using oil-free cooking techniques.
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
2medium red onions
2clovesof garlic
1red chillideseeded if preferred
½thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger
1aubergine
400gpotatoesleave the skin on if possible; remove blemishes
1½tspsalt
1tspground cumin
1tspground coriander
1tspfennel seedsreduce to ½ tsp if desired
½tspground turmeric
½tspground cardamom
400gtinned chopped tomatoes
500mlvegetable stock
Juice of ½ lime
2tbspmaple syrup
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
To Serve:
20gfresh coriander/cilantro
20gflaked almondstoasted
Instructions
Prepare the Ingredients:Peel and finely chop the onions and garlic.Deseed and finely chop the chilli.Peel and finely grate the ginger.Chop the aubergine and potatoes into bite-sized pieces (leave the potato skin on if desired, ensuring any blemishes are removed).
Cook the Base:Heat a large saucepan over high heat. Once hot, reduce to medium and add the chopped onions, garlic, ginger, and chilli. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions start to brown. If the mixture begins to stick, add 2 tbsp of water to loosen.
Add Vegetables and Spices:Add the chopped aubergine, potatoes, and spices (cumin, coriander, fennel seeds, turmeric, cardamom, and 1½ tsp salt) to the pan. Cover with a lid and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If the mixture sticks, deglaze the pan by adding a couple of tablespoons of water and scraping any caramelised bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon.
Finish Cooking:Add the vegetable stock, tinned chopped tomatoes, and maple syrup to the pan. Season with ½ tsp black pepper and an additional tsp of salt. Cook for another 10 minutes to allow the flavours to blend.
Adjust Seasoning:Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, black pepper, a squeeze of lime juice, or a pinch of chilli powder if desired.
Garnish and Serve:Roughly chop the fresh coriander. Divide the curry between warmed bowls, garnish with chopped coriander and toasted flaked almonds, and serve.
This recipe started out a challenge wondering could we cook a beautiful Chickpea curry in 5 mins – we weren’t sure if we could do it but low and behold it worked and it really tasted so good – so much so the recipe video for this has over 2 million views.
Traditional french cooking is all about time – time to reduce sauces and really concentrate flavour. We show here that you can still get deep flavour in short time. By using tamari or soy sauce which typically is not used in Indian cooking it gives that deeper umami note. The coconut milk adds the creamy indulgent sweet quality to the sauce which offsets the acidity in the tomatoes. We use 2 tins of chickpeas in this recipe which you could easily substitute with any other cooked bean or lentil of choice.
How to make this curry – step by step photograph guide
Gather your ingredients
Heat a wide bottomed non stick pan on high heat. We cook this dish on high heat as we want to cook it as quick as possible – the goal is 5 mins.
Peel and chop the onion, garlic and ginger. Finely dice the chilli and remove the seeds if you prefer it less hot. These are known as an Indian stock, these will function as our base flavours.
Once our pan is nice and hot add in the chopped onion, garlic, ginger and chilli and fry for 2 mins stirring regularly so that the onion starts to brown
5. Next add in the curry powder and black pepper and mix through. We want to awaken the flavours here in the spices and cook for 30 seconds and keep stirring to ensure they don’t burn.
6. Drain and rinse the cans of chickpeas and add to the pan along with the can of chopped tomatoes and can of coconut milk and mix well. Don’t worry if there are any lumps of the coconut fat these will melt and add a creaminess to your sauce.
7. Add in the zest of half of a lime and juice of half a lime.
8. Finely chip the fresh coriander or herb of choice including the stalk. And add to the dish
9. Most importantly taste and season to your liking. If you like it more spicy add more chilli, if you prefer your curry with more zing or acidity add more lime juice or if you prefer a deeper flavour add some more tamari and finally if it tastes too strong or salted and 2-3 tbsp of water to dilute the flavour and adjust to your liking.
10. Serve with some teryaki tofu and some sliced avocado or any other accompaniments that you would like.
FAQ – frequently asked questions
What can i use instead of coconut milk?
You can simply use water or veg stock in place and it will result in a more lighter and lower in fat version. Alternatively you could use oat milk or non dairy milk of choice however it wont be as indulgent or as rich. Lastly you could substitute with a cashew cream sauce.
Can i use other beans that chickpeas
Absolutely! You could use any cooked beans or lentils of choice, some of our favourites are butterbeans, blackbeans and lentils.
Can i freeze this dish?
Yes indeed it freezes really well and heats up great.
How am i best storing this?
Allow it to cool and store it in a reusable tub in the fridge. It will last for 2 days in the fridge.
If i dont have red onions can i use regular ones?
Yes indeed, white onions, green onions, leeks or even scallions can work in place, the onions function as the base flavours
This fella’s made fresh with toasted cashews for a sweet nutty taste. Delicious with pasta, epic in a sandwich-actually, it’s gorgeous with almost anything. Enjoy! Dave & Steve