Sri Lankan chickpea curry(kadala curry).
Chickpea curry is also known as kadala curry in Sinhalese. A vegetarian and vegan chickpea curry full of wholesome flavours to pair with rice, roti, naans and parathas. The coconut chickpea curry is a one-pot dish with fragrant curry powder with a creamy coconut gravy that soaks up all the seasonings.
Ingredients
- 3-4 tablespoons of oil
- A sprig of curry leaves(substitute with a bay leaf)
- 4 cloves of garlic minced
- 1″-2″ piece cinnamon
- 1 medium-sized onion sliced fine
- 3-4 green chillies split(optional)
- 1 medium-sized tomato chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- 2 teaspoon of curry powder(add 1/2 a teaspoon more for an intense curry flavour)
- 1/2 teaspoon of red chilli powder
- 1 and 1/2 a cup of chickpeas(soaked overnight and boiled, substitute with canned chickpeas)
- Salt to season
- 1 cup of thick coconut milk
- 1/2 teaspoon of roasted curry powder(optional)
Instructions
- 1
If you are using canned chickpeas, follow the...: If you are using canned chickpeas, follow the instructions under the title, “cooking chickpea curry”.
- 2
Place the raw chickpeas into a pot and...: Place the raw chickpeas into a pot and completely submerge them in water(4-5 cups)and soak them overnight.
- 3
Once they’ve soaked overnight(7-8 hours), remove any floating...: Once they’ve soaked overnight(7-8 hours), remove any floating ones, and drain water.
- 4
Rinse again, drain and set aside.
- 5
The next stage is to boil the chickpeas...: The next stage is to boil the chickpeas which will soften them further.
- 6
Here are a couple of ways to boil...: Here are a couple of ways to boil the chickpeas.
- 7
Using a pressure cooker cuts down the cooking...: Using a pressure cooker cuts down the cooking time to a few whistles or 15-20 minutes if you are using an electric pressure cooker.
- 8
Stovetop Indian pressure cooker(whistling).
- 9
Add just enough water to cover the chickpeas,...: Add just enough water to cover the chickpeas, season with salt and pressure cook for 4-5 whistles.
- 10
Other pressure cookers(electric).
- 11
Add the soaked chickpeas into the pressure cooker,...: Add the soaked chickpeas into the pressure cooker, and pour just enough water to cover the chickpeas.
- 12
Add salt and lock the lid in place,...: Add salt and lock the lid in place, pressure cook over medium heat until the whistle blows twice.
- 13
Boil the chickpeas over a stovetop.
- 14
If you are using a regular stovetop and...: If you are using a regular stovetop and a pan to cook the chickpeas, add the chickpeas to a large pot, and pour in water to submerge the chickpeas.
- 15
season with salt and cook over medium heat...: season with salt and cook over medium heat for 45 minutes or until the chickpea turns soft.
- 16
Once the chickpeas have been boiled, drain water...: Once the chickpeas have been boiled, drain water and set aside.
- 17
Place a separate cooking pan over medium heat...: Place a separate cooking pan over medium heat and pour in the oil.
- 18
Add the curry leaves(substitute with a bay leaf),...: Add the curry leaves(substitute with a bay leaf), chopped onion, garlic, cinnamon, and chopped tomatoes.
- 19
Sauté for a few minutes until the onions...: Sauté for a few minutes until the onions turn golden.
- 20
Add in the green chillies(optional), turmeric, curry powder,...: Add in the green chillies(optional), turmeric, curry powder, red chilli powder.
- 21
Continue sautéing for a few seconds over a...: Continue sautéing for a few seconds over a reduced fire.
- 22
The result would be a rough curry paste.
- 23
Continue cooking for a few seconds and then...: Continue cooking for a few seconds and then add the chickpeas.
- 24
Cook over low-medium heat for 3-5 minutes.
- 25
Pour in the coconut milk, and stir with...: Pour in the coconut milk, and stir with a spoon, collecting all the spices stuck on the sides.
- 26
Reduce heat and slow simmer the curried chickpeas...: Reduce heat and slow simmer the curried chickpeas with coconut milk.
- 27
As the curry cooks, you can add 1/2...: As the curry cooks, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of regular curry powder or dark roasted curry powder to intensify the flavour.
- 28
Cook until the chickpea curry thickens and changes...: Cook until the chickpea curry thickens and changes colour.
- 29
Serve warm with any of the Sri Lankan...: Serve warm with any of the Sri Lankan meal plans on the blog or side dishes mentioned above.
Cook it from the original
This recipe comes from islandsmile.org. Their page has the author’s own photos, notes and tips — the best place to cook it from.
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