Sweet Potato Curry with Chickpeas and Coconut

When winter hits in Minnesota, I know it’s time to pull out all my favorite curry recipes and make them like crazy.  Warm, slightly spicy and packed with nutrition, this sweet potato curry with chickpeas and coconut happens to be a personal favorite of mine.  But truly, just about any vegan curry will do.

I may have made a few too many curries last winter and Mace, my husband, who is my biggest food fan, screamed STOP!  Too much curry for him (which is impossible in my opinion, but whatever).  So, I took a curry break at the end of last winter.  But guess what??  ITS BAAAACK!!

What is Curry?

Curry is generally meat and or vegetables stewed in a spicy fragrant sauce.  There are different types of curry powders and curry pastes, but they generally contain: turmeric, coriander, cumin, ginger, and something to add spice.  From there, hot peppers, cilantro, onion, lime, garlic and many other ingredients can be added to change the flavor and texture of the curry base.  Curry powder and pastes can be purchased pre-made, or you can make them easily by combining your own spices as I do in this recipe.  Either way it’s not going to be bad.

Is Curry Spicy?

Curries can be anywhere from mild, to so spicy you have sweat dripping from your brow.  Since I am good little Minnesotan, I tend to keep my curries very mild.  Many of us with Scandinavian heritage still haven’t acquired any tolerance for spicy foods.  Exhibit A regarding my wimpy Scandinavian tongue:

While we were eating this curry, I commented frequently about how spicy it was.  Mace looked at me and said: I was thinking this was pretty sweet, I don’t taste any spiciness at all.  Huh?  Wimp.  Right here.

Feel free to amp up the spiciness in this recipe to suit your taste.  If you accidentally over-spice your curry, try adding a little more coconut milk.  Or if you want to be really decadent try adding a dollop of coconut whipped cream.

I love this particular curry recipe because it combines so many of my favorite foods: chickpeas, sweet potato and kale.  But curries are very easy to diversify.  You could easily swap the sweet potato for regular potatoes, and the chickpeas for black-eyed peas and you’d have yourself a good down-home southern style curry!  Feel free to use this recipe as a base for experimenting with what you have on hand.

Now, off you go to bring more curry joy into this world.  ENJOY!!

Print Recipe

5 from 6 votes

Sweet Potato Curry with Chickpeas and Coconut

This hearty and delicious sweet potato curry is quick to make and packed full of nutrition.  Make a double batch of this warm winter meal and eat it all week long.

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Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Total Time45 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: gluten-free, Quick, Vegan

Servings: 6

Calories: 274kcal

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
• 5 garlic cloves, or to taste
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ginger, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons turmeric
• 1 1/2 teaspoons coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
• 1 large sweet potato (about 4 cups), cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 14-ounce can chickpeas (or 1 1/2 cups), drained and rinsed
• 1 14-ounce can coconut milk (light or full-fat will both work)
• 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes (or 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes), with juices
• 5 ounces baby kale (or 1 bunch regular kale, stems removed and roughly chopped)
• pepper to taste
• rice, quinoa or cauliflower rice for serving
• fresh chopped cilantro for serving
• lime wedges for serving

Instructions

• In a large saucepan or dutch oven heat the coconut oil over medium-high heat.  Add the cumin seeds and cook until fragrant, taking care not to burn them.  Add the onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt and saute until softened and starting to brown.  Add the garlic and ginger and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.  Add the turmeric, coriander and red pepper flakes and cook about 1 minute until spices are fragrant, stirring constantly so they do not burn.  
• Add the sweet potato, chickpeas, tomatoes and coconut milk and bring to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 20-30 minutes until the sweet potato is very tender. 
• Add the kale, stir to incorporate, and allow to cook an additional 5 minutes until kale is wilted.  Serve on grains or cauliflower rice  with cilantro and lime if desired.  

Notes

To use curry powder in place of the other spices: omit cumin seeds, turmeric and coriander.  Add 1 tablespoon curry powder where you're instructed to add the turmeric and coriander.  

Nutrition

Calories: 274kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Sodium: 526mg | Potassium: 638mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 5560IU | Vitamin C: 38mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 5.1mg

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