Spicy chickpea and spinach curry

This recipe uses dried chickpeas, which must be soaked at least 8 hours or overnight. Depending on their age, chickpeas can take more or less time to soften during cooking, so use the cooking time as a guideline, not a rule. Check the chickpeas occasionally — if they seem too dry, add additional water in 1/4 cup increments.

2 cups dried chickpeas, picked over
8 cups baby spinach leaves
2 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon garam masala
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

In large bowl, combine chickpeas and enough cold water to cover by two inches. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.

Drain chickpeas, then combine in slow cooker with 1 cup water. Cover and cook on high, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 3 to 4 hours. Add spinach, tomatoes and their juices, coriander, cumin, garam masala, turmeric, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to low and cook 1 hour more. Sprinkle in remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, stir in cilantro and serve.

from http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/reviews/237287

Quick Spinach and Chickpea Curry

Recipe By :Susan Voisin
Serving Size : 6

1 small onion -- chopped fine
1 clove garlic -- minced
15 ounces chickpeas, cooked -- (or 1 can)
1 10-ounce can tomatoes with green chilies
1 10-ounce package frozen spinach -- (chopped spinach) thawed
2 -3 teaspoons garam masala
1 teaspoon salt (optional)

In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, sauté the onion, stirring constantly, until it is just beginning to brown. Add the garlic and cook one minute more (you may add a tbsp of water if needed to prevent sticking).

Add the chickpeas, tomatoes, spinach, garam masala, and salt. Stir and cook for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Serve over rice or other grain.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per serving: 142 Calories (kcal); 2g Total Fat; (12% calories from fat); 8g
Protein; 25g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 585mg Sodium
Food Exchanges: 1 1/2 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 1 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 0 Fat;
0 Other Carbohydrates

from http://www.fatfreevegan.com/beans/quick_curry.shtml

Aloo Saag (Indian curried spinach and potatoes)

This is a definite favorite! When I'm not feeling well (I have colitis) aloo saag goes down easy with no difficult-to-digest beans, tofu, or other bits.

1 lb. fresh spinach leaves, washed well (or frozen if you must)
2 cups 1/3"-dice potato (about 6 new potatoes or 2 medium baking potatoes: be aware that russets will tend to break down, unlike new potatoes - you may want to slightly undercook or wait until the end before gently folding them into the spinach mix)
4-6 cloves garlic, diced
1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
1/2 tsp. turmeric
1/2 tsp. salt, plus more as needed
1 tsp. garam masala
3 Tbsps. plain soy milk, plus more as needed
crushed red pepper to taste

serves 2 as main dish, 4-6 as a side
time 20-30 minutes

1 Wash the spinach leaves well and drain. Toss them in a pot along with a 1/2 cup of water. Heat on high for a few minutes, stirring, until the water starts to steam and the bottom leaves begin to wilt (if you're using frozen spinach, cook in microwave for 4-5 minutes). Give it a good stir, cover, lower heat, and cook for about 7 minutes, until just tender. Drain (don't worry about getting out all the water.) Puree until smooth in a blender or food processor.

2 Meanwhile, toss the diced potatoes in a pot with water to cover, and bring to a boil. Add a ½ tsp. of salt. Cook the potatoes for about 10-15 minutes, or until tender. Drain.

3 Heat up a couple tablespoons of oil in a good-sized, non-stick sauté pan. Saute garlic and onion over medium heat. Stir in the turmeric and cook a minute or two more.

4 Toss in the spinach puree and potatoes and stir well. Add the milk, salt, garam masala and a sprinkling of crushed red pepper to taste. Bring to a low bubble, and cook a few minutes more to let the flavors meld. If the mixture looks too dry, add a little more milk. Enjoy!

-- adapted from www.digsmagazine.com

http://www.fatfreevegan.com/veggies/aloo.shtml