I have an excellent recipe for you, as well as a special treat for all of you Loki fans.
Over spring break, my husband and I took our high school junior on a 5-day whirlwind tour of 6 colleges in Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana. We had excellent vegan food, especially in Chicago (Karyn’s on Green just rocks!) but one meal stands out as an unexpected treat. We were driving through Indianapolis after touring our last college, on our way back to Chicago to catch a 9pm flight home, and stopped at an all-vegetarian Indian restaurant called Spice Nation.
We were just in time for the lunch buffet, where all the vegan dishes were helpfully labeled. I will be honest: We stuffed ourselves. Everything was so good, and it was a thrill to be able to eat at an Indian restaurant and not worry about butter or cream. I think all of us would agree that our favorite dish was the one that was put out last, a creamed spinach with chickpeas similar to Palak Paneer but without the cheese.
By the time the spinach dish was put out on the buffet, I was already so full that I could only have a small taste of it. Rich and creamy, it was hard to believe that it was vegan, but the staff assured us it truly was. I came home determined to replicate it at home. Of course, I had to be a little different, so I made my version with kale instead of spinach. But my family didn’t notice, and according to them, it’s as good as the original, which was definitely not low-fat.
I used a few raw cashews for creaminess, but other than that, this rich, flavorful curry contains no oil, not even to temper the spices. I also used soy milk, but you can make it completely soy-free by using rice, almond, hemp, or coconut milk. And, of course, it’s naturally gluten-free.
It was an instant family favorite both for its flavor and for how quick it is to prepare. Even using a bunch of kale that had to be washed, stemmed, and chopped, I was able to make this dish in under a half hour. If you use pre-chopped kale or spinach, you can make it even more quickly.
Creamy Curried Kale and Chickpeas
Ingredients
- 1 large onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 tablespoon ginger root minced, or 1 tsp. powdered ginger
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2 teaspoons garam masala see below
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 8 cups chopped kale 1 10-ounce bunch, about 6 ounces after stems removed, packed
- 1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 cup unsweetened soymilk or other non-dairy milk
- 1/4 cup raw cashews
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast optional
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 15- ounce cans chickpeas drained and rinsed well
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large, non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until softened and beginning to brown, 4-5 minutes, adding water by the tablespoon if needed to prevent sticking. Add the garlic, ginger, and cumin seeds and cook for 1 minute. Add the remaining spices and cook for another minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Reduce heat to medium. Stir in the kale and vegetable broth. Cover and cook until the kale is bright green and tender, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- While the kale is cooking, put the milk, cashews, nutritional yeast, and tomato paste in the blender and puree until smooth. When the kale is done, add it to the blender and blend until smooth.
- Transfer blended mixture back to the skillet and bring to a simmer. Check seasonings and add more to taste. Stir in chickpeas and continue simmering about 10 minutes. Add salt to taste and serve over basmati rice.
Notes
1 small cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon black peppercorns Toast lightly in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant (be careful not to burn). Remove from heat, cool, and grind in a coffee grinder or spice mill. Use immediately or seal tightly and store in a dark place away from heat. Makes about 2 tablespoons.
Nutritional info is approximate.
Before our trip, I had to buy a new suitcase. It arrived from Amazon in a big box that Loki immediately decided was our gift to him. I taped his favorite toy to the top and threw some of his balls and stuffed animals inside, and whenever he starts running wild, knocking everything off the kitchen table or climbing up the drapes, I bring him over to his box. This is the result:
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Diane
Can’t wait to try this recipe, it looks and sounds delicious. Sending positive thoughts and well wishes for a quick and full recovery!
angela usher
Thanks for another lovely recipe Susan.
Hope everything goes well with your surgery – I’ll be thinking of you. Enjoy your convalescence!
Love Angela X
bhavani
My prayers are for you.Wish your surgery goes on well and you will recover fast.We want to see our Susan with good cheers soon.God bless you.
moonwatcher
This look delicious, Susan, and I’m making it on Tuesday in your honor. I’m with you all the way!! (And so nice to read what excellent company I’m in when it comes to all these marvelous well wishes!) With light and lots of love for a speedy recovery,
xoxo
moonwatcher
clare
Wishing you a speedy recovery Susan.
Clare and Tom (Cyprus)
Wendy O
Susan,
I will definitely hold you in my thoughts on the day of your surgery and in the succeeding weeks. Your recuperation will be a good opportunity for your husband and daughter to put on the cook’s hat, and to appreciate even more the gift of delicious food that you give them every day.
Anna-Vera
Dear Susan,
this looks very yummy. I’ll try it soon. i just wanted to write to let you know that I’ll be thinking of you on Tuesday. I hope you have a quick recovery, and as pain-free as possible.
thanks for always supplying us all with delicious, healthy and beautiful recipes. 🙂
Allison @ Clean Wellness
This looks incredible. Love the idea of adding kale for a beautiful, healthy green sauce. Gorgeous photos too! Those bowls are great.
Wishing you a very speedy recovery!
Dazzle59
Susan, thanks for the yummy recipe and the adorable video (Loki is growing fast!). Sending you healing thoughts and positive energy from New Mexico. We’ll miss you, hurry back!
Sarah
Positive and healing energy coming your way!
Roxann
Healing thoughts and prayers coming your way. Have a speedy recovery.
kensington kicker
I appreciate that you share with us some glimpses of your life as well as your wonderful recipes, Susan. I’ll be thinking of you and wishing you the best outcome and recovery. Take good care, Kensington Kicker
Maureen Koplow
I’ve been enjoying your blog for quite a while, and I share your recipes with lots of my friends. Now I’m sharing my good vibes with you. I’m wishing you a speedy, pain-free recovery. Hope you’re back to your strong, vibrant self fast!
Laloofah
First and foremost, I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow, sending you healing energy and my strongest wishes for a speedy, comfortable recovery! I’m glad your family’s food needs will be taken care of by friends – you know that if it were technically possible, every one of us would whip up a healthy vegan goodie and email it to you! (You’d have enough to eat for every meal for the next decade!) 🙂
Wow, “little” E is growing up so fast! Already looking at colleges, how is this possible – she was just 10 yesterday!! And Loki is growing up fast as well – loved the video! He’s as gorgeous and entertaining as he is lucky.
And speaking of gorgeous – this dish! Wow! Off I go to pin it and save it to my recipe box. This is one I know we’ll love! Almost as much as we love you. 🙂 Be well, dear Susan!
Ellen
This recipe looks delicious and I have everything in the house – bought kale and spinach at the weekend, though have used most of the kale so think it will be spinach in this dish, which I can’t wait to make tomorrow.
Good luck for your op and wishing you a speedy recovery. Reading Brendan Brazier, it seems a vegan diet is actually conducive to speedier recovery than an animal diet, at least in sport, so let’s hope it applies to medical recovery too. All the best.
Shelley
Susan, healing thoughts coming your way! I hope you get lots of rest and recover quickly.
Liliana
Good luck from an italian in the UK, Susan! I shall send healing thoughts your way. I hope you also let your animals near you as I find my lot (three cats) have certainly that healing power! I love you cats! Little Loki is gorgeous!
Best of luck, virtual friend to all of us, and let others take care of you.
Liliana
Sandra
Many good wishes, thoughts and prayers for your quick recovery! Thanks for all you to to help keep my family healthy. Love your recipes!
suzanne jenkins
I hope you are better soon! I made this recipe today; admit I cheated and added some olive oil and didn’t use the broth. It was so yummy and delicious. Thank you.
wendy (healthy girl's kitchen)
I’ll be thinking about you and sending you good wishes! Good luck tomorrow!
Connie Fletcher
I’ll be praying for you, Susan….and for your surgeon…….that God grant him the skills needed to take care of you….
We all need you!!!
Shikha @ Shikha la mode
This looks great – love the vegan-ifying of it, and I’m such a big fan of kale!
Susan
Best wishes for a trouble-free surgery and easy recovery! You will be missed.
Karen
Wishing you a very speedy recovery!
I made this recipe for lunch today and it is fabulous! I had some rainbow chard that needed to be eaten, so I used it instead of kale. So delicious!
Ana
Speedy recovery, Susan – all the light and healing energy to you! And thank you for a great recipe – can’t wait to make it and devour it 🙂
Sue
Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery.
Andrea
Hope everything goes as planned and you have a quick recovery. Thanks agsin for another great recipe!
Em
Smooth sailing on the surgery and a Healthy recovery to you! Thanks for the Loki fix 🙂
Julie R
Made it tonight. Love the taste of Garam Masala any time of the day! Even though I pureed the garbona beans by mistake, it still tasted awesome!! Sat Nam, sister – here is to a successful surgery & speedy recovery. We’ll be waiting for your next post & health update.
Barbara R
Susan: wishing you a speedy recovery. Take care,
Barbara R
Nina
I’m hoping you have a quick recovery.
Thank you for creating and sharing so many delicious recipes. This is the most delicious recipe- the family raved about it at dinner.
Jeff @ Cheese-burger.net
Hi Susan! I’ll pray for your successful surgery and a speedy recovery! Hope to see you back on your blog soon!
Kathryn
I’m sending you well wishes and healing thoughts. You ‘re recipes are always a sure bet! My adventure into vegan cooking has been well received by my family and for that I thank you!!! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Em
I hope everything goes well today and healthy recovery- sorry if this is a double. I was not sure the first went through.
Chessie
Susan, good luck with your surgery! With so many people wishing you well, you should come through with flying colors. We’ll miss your blog, but we’ll just be that much happier when you are back.
Dreena Burton
Wishing you the best, Susan, and sending healing, supportive prayers. You have much loving energy directed your way from your readers, feel that and breathe it in! Take care, and hope you are back in the comfort of your home very soon. xx -Dreena
Kate
Susan, I absolutely adore your blog. I have made so many of your recipes and they are almost always instant hits here. I even recommend them to non-vegan friends because they’re so good. Oh, and we love the pictures/vids/stories about Loki. 🙂
Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.
Jessica
I live in Indianapolis and LOVE Spice Nation. It’s a little gem – so glad you found it while busy with school visits! Even more excited to make this recipe since eating there all the time is less socially acceptable 😉
janae @ bring joy
Susan, hope you have a speedy recovery!!
Thanks for all your lovely recipes & inspiration.
Maude Paradis
Best wishes for your surgery and a quick recovery. Thank you for your blog, it has brought so many delicious and healthy recipes in my household!