Sweet Potato and Chickpea Curry (2024)

• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ▢ 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• ▢ 1 onion roughly chopped
• ▢ 1 clove garlic finely chopped
• ▢ 2 cm piece fresh ginger peeled and grated
• ▢ 2 tablespoons medium curry powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garam masala
• ▢ 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• ▢ 2 large sweet potatoes peeled and chopped into small chunks
• ▢ 2 tins of chopped tomatoes
• ▢ 2 tablespoons tomato puree
• ▢ 1 tin coconut milk full fat
• ▢ 2 handfuls of baby spinach leaves
• ▢ 1 small tin chickpeas
• ▢ Lime juice to taste
• ▢ Salt and pepper to taste

Extras to serve

• ▢ Rice
• ▢ Plain yogurt
• ▢ Chilli flakes
• ▢ Onion seeds
• ▢ Fresh coriander
• ▢ Naan bread

• Heat up the oil in a large frying pan, add the cumin seeds and fry for 30 seconds or until golden brown (be careful not to burn them). As soon as the seeds start to change colour add in the chopped onion, garlic and ginger and cook on a gentle heat until soft.

  1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 onion, 1 clove garlic, 2 cm piece fresh ginger

• Stir in the curry powder, garam masala and cinnamon and cook for a further minute to allow the flavours to be released.

  2 tablespoons medium curry powder, 1 teaspoon garam masala, 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder

• Next add the cubed sweet potato, chopped tomatoes, tomato puree and coconut milk. Stir together well then bring to a gentle simmer.

  2 large sweet potatoes, 2 tins of chopped tomatoes, 2 tablespoons tomato puree, 1 tin coconut milk

• Place a lid on the pan and continue to simmer for around 30 minutes or until the potatoes are soft (blade of a knife pushes in easily).

• Meanwhile drain and rinse the can of chickpeas and wash the spinach leaves. Once the potatoes are cooked through, add the chickpeas and spinach to the curry. Stir in and continue to cook on the heat until the spinach has wilted.

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  1 small tin chickpeas, 2 handfuls of baby spinach leaves

• Season with salt, pepper and lime juice then serve with rice and naan. Add toppings if desired: yogurt, fresh coriander, chilli flakes, onion seeds and lime wedges.

  Lime juice to taste, Rice, Plain yogurt, Chilli flakes, Onion seeds, Fresh coriander, Naan bread

Note: Above nutritional info is for 1 portion of curry with toppings but without any sides such as rice or naan bread.

Sweet potatoes: If preferred you can use normal potatoes, and make potato and spinach curry.

Coconut milk: Use full fat coconut as reduced fat will make the curry watery.

Chickpeas: Optional or can be replaced with other pulses such as beans, split peas or lentils. To avoid any chickpeas skins floating around in the curry, place the chickpeas in a sieve then agitate under a running tap to loosen any skins. Pick these out and discard.

Yogurt:Yogurt is an optional topping, but its creamy and cooling nature works really well with the heat from the spices. Choose plain yogurt.

Frying cumin seeds:Add a couple of cumin seeds to test the heat of the oil. If the seeds bubble then the oil is hot enough. Add the rest of the seeds but only cook briefly, until just golden brown, before adding the onions. Be aware that cumin seeds are quick to burn, which will create a bitter taste throughout the dish.

Make it your own:Use split peas, lentils or beans, or completely swap the chickpeas for one of these. Try with different types of lentils (green, yellow) or add other vegetables such as roasted squash, roast cauliflower, courgette or aubergine. And for an extra protein boost try with shredded chicken or poached fish.

Is sweet potato and chickpea curry healthy?
This curry is packed full of nutrients including protein, fibre, iron and plenty of vitamins and minerals. Chickpeas are low in fat and high in protein and along with the sweet potatoes will do a great. Job of filling you up due to both containing plenty of fibre. Spinach is also a great option for boosting your iron and folate levels.

How to make this curry extra spicy?
If you like your curry hot then there are a couple of extras you can add to turn up the heat. Try adding fresh green or red chopped chillies during cooking. The increase the heat further use smaller chillies and leave in the seeds. You could also add chilli flakes whiles cooking or add chilli sauce or Tabasco as toppings.

How to store?
What to do with any leftovers? Once fully cooled you can transfer any leftover curry to a sealable container. Seal and keep in the fridge for 2-3 days or freeze for up to 1 month. To reheat defrost thoroughly in the fridge overnight (if frozen) then transfer to a pan and heat until piping hot throughout.