Name: Chickpea Spinach Coconut Curry (Weeknight, Not Sweet)
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 5 Servings
Ingredients: 1.5 tbsp olive oil; 1 whole onion (diced); 4 cloves garlic (minced); 1 tbsp ginger (grated); 2 tbsp curry powder (strength varies by brand); 1 tsp ground cumin; 45 oz chickpeas (3 cans, drained and rinsed); 13.5 oz coconut milk (1 can, full-fat); 14.5 oz diced tomatoes (1 can); 6 cup baby spinach; 2 tsp kosher salt (to taste); 2 tbsp lime juice (about 1 lime)

Question 1

Why is my Chickpea Spinach Coconut Curry (Weeknight, Not Sweet) My curry tastes a little too sweet, not savory enough.?

Accepted Answer

My curry tastes a little too sweet, not savory enough.

Ah, that coconut milk can sometimes lean sweet. You need to bring back that balance. Try adding another half teaspoon of salt and a tablespoon of lime juice. The salt and acid are…

My curry seems a bit too thin, not thick enough.

No problem, we can thicken that up. Just let it simmer uncovered for another 5 minutes or so. Stir it occasionally, and you'll see it reduce and gain a lovely consistency.

Question 2

Why is my Chickpea Spinach Coconut Curry (Weeknight, Not Sweet) My curry seems a bit too thin, not thick enough.?

Accepted Answer

My curry seems a bit too thin, not thick enough.. No problem, we can thicken that up. Just let it simmer uncovered for another 5 minutes or so. Stir it occasionally, and you'll see it reduce and gain a lovely consistency.

Question 3

Why is my Chickpea Spinach Coconut Curry (Weeknight, Not Sweet) My spices tasted burnt or bitter after blooming them.?

Accepted Answer

My spices tasted burnt or bitter after blooming them.. That often happens if the oil was a bit too hot when the spices went in. They scorch quickly! Next time, aim for medium heat and be ready to turn it down slightly just before adding them. If they're already bitter, it's tough to rescue, but you could try adding a bit more coconut milk and a tiny pinch of sugar to mask it, though it will change the flavor slightly.

Question 4

Why is my Chickpea Spinach Coconut Curry (Weeknight, Not Sweet) My curry tastes bland, like the spices aren't really there.?

Accepted Answer

My curry tastes bland, like the spices aren't really there.. That usually means the spices didn't bloom properly in the oil. They need that hot oil to really wake up and release their aroma. Make sure you're stirring them for the full 30-45 seconds until they're really fragrant. To fix this batch, toast a little extra curry powder and cumin in a tiny bit of oil separately, then stir that into the curry and let it simmer for a few more minutes.

Question 5

Why is my Chickpea Spinach Coconut Curry (Weeknight, Not Sweet) My curry is watery and the spinach looks sad and dull.?

Accepted Answer

My curry is watery and the spinach looks sad and dull.. It sounds like the spinach cooked a little too long. Remember, we just want to stir it in until it's *just* wilted. If it cooks down too much, it releases all its water and loses its vibrancy. You can try simmering this uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce some liquid, but the spinach might not be quite as bright.

Chickpea Spinach Coconut Curry

Chickpea Spinach Coconut Curry

Put This Plate On The Line

The Setup

The Mise en Place

The Protein (0/1)

Aromatics (0/3)

Spices (0/2)

Prep Ahead

If Things Go Wrong

My curry tastes a little too sweet, not savory enough.

My curry seems a bit too thin, not thick enough.

Chef's Notes

The Method

SAUTE

BLOOM

SIMMER

WILT

FINISH

Related Techniques

Mise en Place

Appears in collections

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