CHICKPEA MEALS RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. First of all, finely slice your red onion. Once that's done, finely slice your chillies then roughly chop your tomatoes, mixing them in with the onion and chillies. Scrape all of this, and the juice, into a bowl and dress with the juice of half a lemon and 3 tablespoons of good extra virgin olive oil. Season to taste. Heat the chickpeas in a pan, then add 90 per cent of them to the bowl. Mush up the remaining chickpeas and add these as well – they will give a nice creamy consistency. Allow to marinate for a little while and serve at room temperature.
  2. Just as you're ready to serve, give the salad a final dress with the fresh mint and basil. Taste one last time for seasoning – you may want to add the juice from your remaining lemon half at this point. Place on a nice serving dish and crumble over the feta cheese.

Steps:

• 1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan over a medium heat, add the lamb, spices and curry powder, then cook gently for 15 minutes, or until browned all over, stirring occasionally.
  2. Meanwhile, peel and finely slice the ginger, garlic and onions. Add the sliced ingredients and curry leaves to the pan, then cook for a further 10 to 15 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally.
  3. Tip in the chickpeas (and their juice), then crumble in the stock cube. Pour in the tomatoes and 1 tin’s worth of hot water.
  4. Season lightly with sea salt and black pepper, then slowly bring to the boil, breaking up the tomatoes with the back of a spoon.
  5. Cover with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and simmer gently for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until the lamb is tender and the sauce has thickened and reduced, occasionally stirring and scraping any bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Add the coconut milk and spinach to the pan, stir well, then bring just back to the boil.
  7. Have a taste and season to perfection, then tear the coriander leaves over the top. Delicious served with brown basmati rice.