Get acquainted with ‘hero ingredient’ in warm, spicy chickpea and brinjal curry

Try this recipe from Cooking from the Heart’s DASH Edition. This recipe contains the “hero ingredient” chickpeas. It serves 4 to 6 and is ideal as a meal on its own.

Chickpeas have been grown and eaten in Middle Eastern countries for thousands of years. Their nutty taste and grainy texture pair well with many other foods and ingredients. As a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, chickpeas may offer a variety of health benefits, such as aiding weight management, improving digestion, and reducing the risk of disease. Additionally, this legume is high in protein and makes an excellent replacement for meat in many vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) is a research-backed healthy-eating pattern recommended to help lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, kidney disease, and gout.

Ingredients

• 8 baby brinjals (200g), halved
• ½ tsp cumin seeds
• 1/4 tsp chilli powder
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp crushed garlic
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, chopped
• 2 tbsp mild curry powder
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 4 cups cooked chickpeas
• 1 cup brown vegetable stock

About Zola Nene

Method

1. Toss the brinjals with the cumin seeds, chilli powder, salt and pepper, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Place into the airfryer (or oven) at 180°C for 15 minutes.
2. In a pot, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then add onion and sauté until softened and beginning to brown. Add garlic, ginger, curry powder and garam masala, and cook for a minute over low heat to release the aromas of the spice. Add tomatoes, then cover and simmer for 5 minutes until the tomatoes cook down.
3. Add the chickpeas, vegetable stock and brinjals to the pot. Stir well, then cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
4. Serve with rice or naan bread.

In a special edition of Cooking from the Heart, and through collaboration with South African Gourmand Award winners (2023), HEARTY was presented, which is a unique gourmet recipe collection inspired by the DASH diet and endorsed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa.