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chickpea spinach curry
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3.88 from 32 votes

Chickpea Spinach Curry

This chickpea spinach curry has everything you for in a curry 🙂 It is quick, easy to make, perfect for weeknight, wholesome and packed with protein and outright delicious. This curry is so rich and creamy without added cream or yogurt. Do try out this vegan and gluten free curry known as palak chana masala too.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: chickpea spinach curry, palak chana
Servings: 3
Calories: 392kcal
Author: Harini

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried chickpeas
  • water for soaking and cooking chickpeas
  • pinch of salt

For chickpea spinach curry

  • 8 whole cashews soaked and blended into smooth paste.
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 2 green chilies
  • 4 peeled garlic cloves
  • 1 inch peeled ginger
  • 3/4 cup chopped onions
  • 2.5 cups chopped spinach leaves
  • 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
  • 2 cups tomato puree
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala powder
  • salt to taste
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves

Instructions

Prepping and cooking chickpeas

  • Pick, rinse and add dried chickpeas into a bowl and cover with plenty of water.
    dried chickpeas
  • Let the chickpeas soak in water for 8-12 hours. After 12 hours they will double in size.
    palak chana masala
  • Now drain the water thoroughly and rinse multiple times.
  • Add drained chickpeas to a pan of boiling water or pressure cooker with a pinch of salt. Cook until completely soft. If using a pressure cooker cook for 20-25 minutes or up to 6-7 whistles. On stove top in a pan it may take 45-50 minutes.
    chickpea spinach curry
  • Drain excess water and set the cooked chickpeas aside. If using canned chickpeas you can directly go to making of the palak chana curry.

Making Cashew Paste

  • Soak 8 whole cashews in warm water for 15 minutes. Drain, add 2 teaspoons water and grind to a very smooth paste.

Making spinach chickpea curry

  • Thoroughly rinse and finely chop the spinach leaves.
    cleaned and chopped spinach leaves
  • Peel 3 garlic cloves, 1 inch ginger piece and chop 2 green chilies. Mince and pound them together using a mortar and pestle.
    chickpea spinach curry
  • heat 2 tablespoons oil in a pan. Temper with cumin seeds. Add the minced ginger-garlic-chilies and fry for a minute
    chickpea spinach curry
  • Add the chopped spinach leaves and saute till they wilt.
    palak chana masala
  • Now add chopped onions. Mix well and saute for a minute.
    chickpea spinach curry
  • Next add the chopped tomatoes and mix.
    chickpea spinach curry
  • Now add pureed tomatoes. Mix well and add spice powders, ie garam masala powder, turmeric powder and red chili powder.
    chickpea spinach curry
  • Mix thoroughly and cook in medium flame for 5-6 minutes. Now add cashew paste and mix well. Season with salt.
    chickpea spinach curry
  • Mix and cook in medium flame for 5 more minutes. Add cooked chickpeas and simmer for 3-4 minutes.
    chickpea spinach curry
  • Add chopped cilantro leaves, mix well and remove from flame.
    chickpea spinach curry

Notes

  • Use any neutral oil like peanut or canola oil for this recipe.
  • You can double the recipe or halve it.

Nutrition

Serving: 3g | Calories: 392kcal