Try the Indian vegan butter chickpeas recipe
Indian vegan butter chickpeas is a delightful twist on the classic butter chicken, tailored for vegetarians and vegans. Originating from India's rich culinary traditions, this dish replaces chicken with chickpeas, offering a hearty and nutritious alternative. It's soaked in a creamy, tomato-based sauce infused with aromatic spices that tantalize the taste buds. Ideal for exploring plant-based Indian cuisine, let's get cooking.
Gather the following ingredients
To make this dish, gather two cups cooked chickpeas (canned or boiled), one large chopped onion, three minced garlic cloves, one-inch minced ginger, one 400g can tomato puree, one cup coconut milk, two tablespoons vegan butter, one teaspoon cumin seeds, two teaspoons garam masala, one teaspoon turmeric powder, half a teaspoon chili powder (to taste), salt (to taste), and fresh cilantro for garnish.
Prepare your base flavors
Start by heating the vegan butter in a large pan over medium heat. Once melted and hot, add the cumin seeds and let them sizzle for about 30 seconds. Then add the chopped onions and saute until they turn golden brown. This process should take around five to seven minutes. The onions will form the flavor base for our dish.
Add spices and tomato puree
To the sauteed onions add minced garlic and ginger; cook until their raw smell disappears - approximately two minutes. Stir in garam masala powder, turmeric powder, chili powder along with salt to taste. Cook these spices for another minute before pouring in the tomato puree. Let this mixture simmer on low heat for 10 minutes until it thickens slightly.
Mix in chickpeas and coconut milk
Pour the cooked chickpeas into the pan, then add the coconut milk, which introduces a creamy texture without the need for dairy. Stir thoroughly to ensure that the chickpeas are evenly coated with the sauce. Cover the pan and allow it to simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes, enabling the flavors to blend together perfectly in harmony.
Final touches before serving
After simmering, check for needed salt adjustments then turn off the heat. Garnish the Indian vegan butter chickpeas with fresh cilantro just before serving. It pairs excellently with steamed rice or naan bread, offering a comforting, flavorful meal without animal products. This guide simplifies enjoying a classic Indian dish for those following vegetarian or vegan diets, ensuring taste and richness are not compromised.
