Wholesome Chickpea Curry with Spinach & Rice

Chickpea curry with Spinach and Rice is a healthy dinner. This will give you a lot of flavor to the meal. It is full of protein and fiber. It is very easy to prepare this and you use fresh ingredients. Many items are found in this dish like chickpeas, tomatoes, spinach, and rice. You make curry sauce first and then serve fluffy rice with it. You can add any topping of vegetables and herbs of your choice to it.  In this article, we discuss all about the Chickpea curry and rice.

Why Chickpea Curry with Spinach?

Chickpea curry is very rich in nutrients. When it is used with spinach give a many benefits. With this, your stomach will be full. You will also get protein and fiber from it. This dish is perfect for those who have on diet like plant-based. Spinach is a good source of vitamins. Because it is included in greenery vegetables.

Iron is also found in this which is very good for our health. When you serve spinach with rice, it will become a complete meal. This way your diet will be good and you will get satisfying and energizing food. There are many variations in this curry in which Jamaican and Thai are found. Chickpea curry is a wonderful dish. This will please your taste buds. You can enjoy a hot kick with mild spices.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here have mentioned some ingredients that together make chickpea curry with spinach and rice. You can easily get all these items from any grocery store.

How to Make Chickpea Curry with Spinach and Rice

Prepare the Rice

Take the rice of your choice. Wash the rice with fresh water. Wash until the water becomes clear. Then take a pot and add rice to it. Add 2 cups of water to the rice and leave it for boiling. Put rice and salt in it. Lower the heat and cover the pot. Cook the rice on low heat for 15 to 17 minutes. Let it cook until the water gets absorbed. Then the rice becomes tender.

Make the Curry

Saute the Aromatics:

You have to take a large pan. Pour oil into it. Then keep it on medium heat. Chop the onion and then cook it till it becomes soft.  Within approximately 5 minutes it will turn golden. Pour garlic and ginger into the pan. Cook for a minute until the fragrant comes.

Add the Spices:

You have to take all the spices. Put one by one the spices in the dish. The cumin, coriander, curry powder, turmeric, and chili powder(optional) add to the pan. After adding this to the onion mixture, stir it till everything becomes smooth. After cooking for 1 to 2 minutes, you will get all the flavor.

Add Chickpeas and Tomatoes:

You add chickpeas and diced tomatoes to the mixture. Then mix everything very well. Let the mixture cook slowly and add salt and pepper to it as per your taste.

Add Spinach and Coconut Milk:

First of all, add spinach and coconut milk and stir it. Let the spinach wilt and then add coconut milk to it. This way its creamy texture is created. Now cook it for 10 minutes and keep stirring it a little.

Prepare the Cucumber Yogurt (Optional)

Peel the cucumber. Put it into a bowl. Then add yogurt, salt, and chopped mint or cilantro in it. Set aside to serve with the curry.

Serve

Serve the chickpea curry with the boiled rice. Take a lump of cucumber yogurt on the side of rice. You can add fresh cilantro, and pickled red onions. Put this on the top of the dish.

Variations and Customizations

Chickpeas are available in many variations. This is adaptable. You can try variations that depend on your preference or what’s available:

Jamaican Chickpea Curry

The allspice and Scotch bonnet peppers give a Jamaican twist. It gives a spicer taste.

Thai Red Curry with Chickpeas and Spinach

Exchange the curry powder for Thai red curry paste. You can add bell peppers for a Thai-inspired dish. If you want a unique flavor then add a Thai red curry paste. It is often used in dishes like Panang curry. This is known for its richness.

Tofu Chickpea Curry

Add cubed tofu to increase the protein content. Tofu and chickpeas make a hearty and filling meal together. It becomes delicious when cook in the curry sauce.

Mushroom and Spinach Curry

If you want a richer texture then add the sliced mushrooms with spinach. Mushrooms make the curry thick and soak up the flavor.

Shrimp and Chickpea Curry

Add a seafood taste to the dish. At the end of the cooking add the Shrimp. It becomes flavorful in just 3-5 minutes of cooking.

Nutritional Benefits of Chickpea Curry with Spinach and Rice

This is full of nutrients as well as tasty. Here are the reasons:

Chickpeas:

Chickpeas are good for health. It supports your digestion. There is more protein and fiber. The best thing for those people who are on a plant-based diet.

Spinach:

Spinach strengthens your immune and gives you health. It contains vitamins A and C. Along with that, it is rich in iron.

Spices:

Spices include cumin, turmeric, and coriander giving a nice taste. Antioxidants are rich in these spices. This nourishes the curry.

Cucumber Yogurt:

Cucumber is best for hydration. Yogurt makes your health best and provides probiotics for gut health.

Serving Tips for Large Gatherings

If you have guests or there is some function gathering then double or triple your chickpeas recipe for that.If you want to serve a crowd, use an extra large serving bowl. Take mostly all the curry and rice or serve it with cucumber yogurt topping. If you want, you can also keep the yogurt cucumber in a separate bowl. Fresh cilantro and lemon wedges as a garnish give an impressive look. Due to the freshness of all these, your curry gets completed in a good manner. In this way, you can make your guest happy and due to his presentation, it gives an attractive look. If you can try this recipe at home, you can enjoy cooking it.

Calories and Nutritional Information (Estimates)

For those counting calories, here’s a rough breakdown based on general ingredients and portion sizes:

• Chickpea Curry (1 serving): ~250 calories
• Rice (1 cup cooked): ~200 calories
• Cucumber Yogurt (2 tbsp): ~30 calories

The calorie count may vary slightly when adding coconut milk or toppings like pickled onions.

Tips for Making the Best Chickpea Curry

1. Bloom the Spices:

Sauté spices in oil to release their flavors fully.

2. Balance the Acidity:

Adding tomatoes can change the taste of your curry. If it becomes acidic then you can add a little honey or a pinch of sugar to the curry.

3. Use Fresh Herbs:

You should use fresh herbs which will enhance your dish. Lastly, place cilantro, parsley, or basil on the dish.

4. Cucumber Yogurt:

When you use cooling yogurt then you can balance it with curry. This will maintain the spices of the curry perfectly.

Conclusion:

Chickpea curry with spinach and rice is a great meal. It can be made easily. Whenever you feel like having a delicious dinner, you can make it. Either this dish is healthy or it is tasty. You can have a comfortable and satisfying dinner. You can also use a side dish with it like cucumber yogurt, pickled onions, or lemon. To give more flavor to the dish you can add something like honey and spices. This will be your family’s favorite dish when you make it yourself. It is an easy recipe and everyone else will like it.

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