Curried Chick Peas, Vegan Indian Recipe

Quick & Easy Recipe For Cooked Chick Peas or Garbanzo Beans

Ingredients:

• 4 cups cooked chick peas or garbanzo beans (2 - 3 cans)
• 3 - 4 Tbls ghee or olive oil
• 1 tsp. gr. cumin
• 2 tsp gr. coriander
• 1/2 tsp gr. fennel seeds
• 1 tsp turmeric
• pinch cayenne
• OR: 1 seeded, minced fresh jalapeno pepper
• 1 tsp dried ginger
• OR: 1 Tbsp peeled, minced fresh ginger
• OR: 1 Tbsp curry powder in place of the dried spices listed above
• 1 bay leaf
• Optional: 6 green cardamom pods
• 1/2 - tsp salt
• pepper to taste
• Optional: 1 Tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro or basil

Directions:

1. Drain and rinse canned beans. If you cooked your own, reserve the liquid
2. Blend or puree 1 cup cooked beans with 2 cups water or cooking liquid (if you don't have a blender or food processor, use a potato masher - even a fork will work)
3. OR: If you can find it, brown 1/4 cup chick pea flour (besan) with the spices
4. Heat the oil or ghee on low in a large saucepan. Add spices and heat for 5 minutes
5. Add the pureed beans and blend with the spices
6. Add the rest of the beans, and 2 more cups water or cooking liquid
7. Add salt and pepper to taste, cook on low heat until the mixture thickens
8. Add more water if needed, plus lemon juice and fresh herb, if desired