Cauliflower Chickpea Curry Recipe

Name: Cauliflower Chickpea Curry
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or vegetable oil; 2 teaspoons of yellow curry powder; 1 medium yellow onion, cut in half and then sliced across the grain (about 1 1/2 cups sliced onion); 1-inch piece of ginger root, peeled and grated (1 teaspoon grated); 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas (garbanzo beans) (a 15-ounce can, rinsed and drained); 1 head cauliflower, cored, florets separated (see How to Cut and Core Cauliflower ); 1 15-ounce can of whole, peeled tomatoes; 1 teaspoon Kosher salt; 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1 bay leaf; 1/2 cup water; 1/2 cup (packed) roughly chopped cilantro (leaves and young stems); 2 teaspoons minced fresh mint leaves

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Sometimes a single ingredient, a garnish, can turn a dish from meh to Wow.

In the case of this cauliflower chickpea curry, that ingredient is cilantro. I've been meaning to experiment with a curry using cauliflower and chickpeas for months.

When we finally got around to it, the result was okay, but nothing special. Frustrated, I tossed a handful of chopped cilantro into what we had made—a braise of cauliflower, chickpeas, onions, curry, and tomatoes.

The ingredients that minutes before had failed to inspire were now dazzling. It's as if the cilantro had woken everyone up and pulled them onto the dance floor.

Cauliflower Chickpea Curry in a bowl — Elise Bauer

What's happening? I'm guessing one reason is that the cilantro is playing the role of a bitter, like parsley, kale, or green onion greens.

The bitter greens fire up the bitter sensors in our mouths and the flavor of everything brightens. In any case, with the cilantro, this curry is fast, easy, and delightful. (Great with Basmati Rice with Peas and Mint.)

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Cauliflower Chickpea Curry

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Total Time 45 mins

Servings 4 to 6 servings

For those of you who simply cannot tolerate cilantro, I would recommend slicing some arugula and adding that to the curry as it cooks, or toss with fresh chives or thinly sliced onion greens. It won't be the same, but the greens will help brighten the dish.

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or vegetable oil
2 teaspoons yellow curry powder
1 medium yellow onion, cut in half and then sliced across the grain (about 1 1/2 cups sliced onion)
1 (1-inch) piece ginger root, peeled and grated (1 teaspoon grated)
1 (15-ounce can) chickpeas, rinsed and drained (1 1/2 cups cooked)
1 head cauliflower, cored, florets separated (see How to Cut and Core Cauliflower)
1 (15-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup packed roughly chopped cilantro (leaves and tender stems)
2 teaspoons minced fresh mint leaves

Sauté the curry powder and onion:

Heat the oil in a thick-bottomed pot (with lid) on medium heat. Add the curry powder to the oil and let cook for a minute until fragrant.

Elise Bauer

Add the sliced onion, toss with the curried oil. Let cook until softened, about 6 to 8 minutes.
Assemble the curry:

Once the onions have softened, add the ginger and the chickpeas, toss to coat with everything.

Add the tomatoes, shredding the whole tomatoes with your fingers as you add them to the pot. Include any tomato juice from the can.

Add the cauliflower florets, salt, pepper, bay leaf, and water.

Elise Bauer

Elise Bauer
Simmer:

Bring to a simmer. Lower the heat and cover. Cook 15 to 18 minutes until the cauliflower is cooked through and tender.

Elise Bauer
Toss with the herbs and serve:

Remove from heat. Toss with fresh chopped cilantro and minced mint.

Serve with rice or rice pilaf. If you want, dollop a little sour cream or plain yogurt over it (non-vegan option).

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
139	Calories
4g	Fat
22g	Carbs
7g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories	139
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g	5%
Saturated Fat 1g	3%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 365mg	16%
Total Carbohydrate 22g	8%
Dietary Fiber 8g	30%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 7g
Vitamin C 59mg	296%
Calcium 84mg	6%
Iron 2mg	14%
Potassium 533mg	11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.