Indian Spinach and Chickpeas
This is one of those meals that we’ll be making again and again. It comes together in no time, uses ingredients that we usually have around the house, and tastes awesome. I did have to go buy some garam masala, but I’ve been meaning to anyways so that we can start making Indian food at home. Since Hubby lived in India for 3 months a few years ago, he loves it. The garam masala definitely give the distinct flavor of Indian food.
Indian Chickpeas and Spinach
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients:
Two cans chickpeas, drained & rinsed
10 oz frozen spinach, thawed & drained
1 1/2 cups (~1 can) tomato sauce
1/3 cup whipping cream, at room temperature
3 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
1/2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp Asian chili garlic sauce
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp garam masala
Directions:
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger and cook 2-3 minutes. Add chickpeas and toast, stirring frequently, for another 2 minutes or so.
Add tomato sauce and bring to a simmer. Stir in all remaining spices and check seasoning, adding more of your favorite spices if desired.
Whisk in cream and return to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently.
Begin adding spinach in batches. Once all spinach is added, turn the heat down very low and cover. Simmer 5 minutes covered, and hold warm until ready to serve. I served over brown rice.
Recipe adapted from Savory Spicy Sweet
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
I was also totally inspired by the same blog post and made them with a spicy kick! These are totally addictive!
Noms! I love to roast chickpeas with Asparagus in the spring. It’s one of my favorite quick meals, but I still havent cooked them crispy for snacking yet…. You are now person number 5 (or more I lost count) to post these so I think they are in odred very soon!
looks good! I saw a recipe from the whole living magazine last week that I was going to try too.
Okay, that is seriously spooky. I was *just* about to go look for a recipe for these (I bought a can of chickpeas a few weeks ago to make some) and up popped your blog in my google reader. Woo!
Mmm, so glad everyone is loving these. And now I know what to make for my friend’s superbowl party! Thanks for the reminder!
I love that you use canned chickpeas for this! When I saw the title I thought “mmm, tasty, but you probably have to do dried chickpeas and blah blah blah”. But you don’t! And it’s a perfect quick use for the extra cans I have in the pantry so that I don’t have to keep making hummus. 🙂
I’ve already put some of your Super Bowl recipes on my menu for Sunday, including the mini ham & cheese sandwiches. We live in Pittsburgh and are huge Steelers fans, so we’re REALLY EXCITED!!!
Hope your Superbowl menu turns out great. Although I have to admit, I’ll be rooting against your team!
love the smoked paprika 🙂
I have yet to try these and really just need to jump in and do it! Thanks for the reminder 😉
Have been meaning to make these! So yummy to snack on and crazy good for you. Need to make these soon..
Great snack. What if I am dried chickpeas not canned. Does it need to be soaked overnight?
Neev
How interesting! I love chickpeas and am going to make these this weekend! Thanks!
Neev – I’m really not sure how to do this with dried chickpeas. I’ve only used canned. I would assume you would want to soak them overnight first.
Okay, that is seriously spooky. I was *just* about to go look for a recipe for these (I bought a can of chickpeas a few weeks ago to make some) and up popped your blog in my google reader. Woo!