Chickpeas in Curry Sauce

INGREDIENTS

4 teaspoons Oil

1 tablespoon (15 mL) cumin seeds

 1 medium onion, finely chopped

 3/4 to 1 teaspoon sea salt

3 large cloves garlic, minced

4 teaspoons  grated fresh ginger

 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

 1 teaspoon  ground coriander

 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste

 1 medium/large Kumara, peeled and cut into  5 mm to 1 cmdice

 1 can Delmaine chickpeas, drained and rinsed

 1 can Delmaine Crushed  tomatoes

 1 can light coconut milk

 1 bag of washed package baby spinach

 Freshly ground black pepper

 For serving

Cooked basmati rice,

Chopped fresh cilantro leaves

 Lime wedges (optional)

DIRECTIONS

In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. The oil is hot enough when a cumin seed sizzles when tossed into the pan. Add the cumin seeds and toast for about a minute, until fragrant and lightly darkened in color.  Immediately stir in the onion, season with a pinch of salt, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the onion is soft and translucent.

Add the garlic, ginger, turmeric, coriander, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and sauté for a couple of minutes, until the garlic softens.

Add the sweet potato, chickpeas, tomatoes with their juices, and coconut milk. Stir to combine, cover, and simmer over medium heat for 20 to 30 minutes, until the potatoes are fork-tender. At this point, I always mash one-third of the mixture to thicken the sauce (using a potato masher), but this step is optional.

Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted. Season with the salt and black pepper to taste.

Serve on a bed of rice, garnished with cilantro. If desired, offer lime wedges for squeezing over the curry.