This VEGAN Spinach Chickpea Coconut Curry is a flavorful, nutritious, weeknight staple and adds a special decadence to your Sunday dinners.
I did not have the most traditional of upbringings – the paternal side of my family struggled with their Indo-Burmese identity after migrating from Burma to India after the war, meaning that most of the food we ate were a fusion of the two cultures. My mother learnt to cook only after she married, and even then largely hustled her own recipes based on produce that she could find and spices that were closest to her reach (she’s where I get my quirkiness from). Paraphrasing her most famous words: ‘….these were the ingredients that stared back at me when I went looking’. Needless to say, she is quite literally incapable of making the same thing twice. She creates and moves on.
Because most of the food was largely fashioned in a melting pot of intermingling cultures and hustled smarts, no one thought it worth their time to write anything down. Translate: I have no recipes that were handed down to me.
But even in our very unconventional family, Sundays were traditionally special. The Indian workforce is employed for 5 1/2 days every week, which meant Sundays were the only day that the four of us sat down together as a family to eat. Every other day, our meal times were in a constant state of flux based on each person’s school/work schedule, but on Sundays, we were all home and truly enjoyed the time we had together.
Which automatically meant that the best meals of the week were reserved for the Sunday lunch/dinner. In a family where everyone cooked, it was truly a day of togetherness, as we all pitched in to cook together in a kitchen that was too small for four people to stand in, and sat down to dine as one amidst the chaos that ensues from ‘too many cooks’. Although special, it wasn’t necessarily a very elegant affair. We just sat around on the couch, and all the dishes were piled unceremoniously on the coffee table in the greasy pans they were cooked in. No, it wasn’t a very pretty sight, but all I remember was the way it felt, and nothing could ever be more perfect that those crude meals I ate with the people I loved the most in this world.
Now, almost 5 years later in a home of my own several thousand miles away, I am desperately trying to reinstate Sunday night dinners here. There is a certain magic that is evoked when people gather around a table of food, an alchemy that electrifies the very air around you, seasons the food and makes everything it touches a little more than it probably is.
And while I am tempted to add a little elegance to our dinner table, I know in the heart of my heart that I’ll never be fancy enough to serve each food in it’s own special dish at a family dinner for two. If I have a sink full of dirty dishes to look forward to at the end of the night, I might loose interest in Sunday dinners myself. Thankfully, Lagostina makes cookware that are not just functional, but beautiful enough to go straight from the stove to the table and still uphold the overall elegance of the meal.
Featured here are some pieces from the Lagostina Opera Stainless Steel Collection and it’s undoubtedly the most beautiful of all the cookware sets I’ve owned. The aluminium core makes for better heat distribution while the stunning stainless steel exterior adds class and a very safe cooking medium. Handles (and pot lid holds) that don’t heat up is always a welcome addition because when you’re rushing to move pans and forget to wear your mitts, ouch!
I’ve been using these pans in my kitchen for a while now, but they show no signs of use so far, and in my kitchen, the cookware get abused to no end. They’re stacked, tossed, dragged, dropped (butter fingers!) and scorched. Yet, at the end of the night, these get washed clean with almost minimal scrubbing and return to their original sheen as though magically fixed by a fairy godmother. I am not a very vain person, but I am getting a kick out of fixing my hair on the mirror-finish lids as I cook – I assume it’s what gorgeous Italian cooks do in Italy where this cookware is made, and when in Rome, you must be Roman, no?
And if you’re wondering, yes, the pans are all spill-proof – there’s a lip running around the pan that makes pouring mess-free – this is one of the features I specifically look for when I buy cookware. Sloshing curry all over doesn’t really make for a fun post-dinner activity.
Speaking of curry, here’s a recipe that makes an appearance on many a Sunday dinner at my home – Spinach Chickpea Coconut Curry. Not only is there minimal chopping/prep, the absolutely decadent curry pairs well with both flatbreads as well as rice/pilaf, making it quite a versatile recipe to keep in your Indian food arsenal. And if you prefer it, substitute the canned coconut milk with cream instead for a dairy-rich version.
Let’s bring back the enchantment of Sunday dinners in our homes – it matters not how beautifully you set the table or how delicious the food is, as long as the hearts that gather around feel the love you share, everything will still be absolutely magical – and is that not the whole point?
[GIVEAWAY] I’d love for you to try this beautiful piece of cookware! Enter for a chance to win a Lagostina Opera Stainless Steel Casserole with Lid(above):
#AD This post was sponsored by Lagostina USA but all opinions expressed are my own. I only recommend products that I truly love and thank you for supporting brands that support Love is in my tummy.
When you make this delicious VEGAN Spinach Chickpea Coconut Curry (which I really think you SHOULD!), be sure to SHARE YOUR PHOTOS with me through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. I’d love to see what you cook from here!
Vasugi Ganesh Moorthy says
I loved this recipe. It has become my habit to cook this every time I buy spinach. Also, when I think about impressing guests who come home for dinner.?
Tina Dawson says
Thank you so much Vasugi, for coming back to let me know. I am so glad you like it!
Kankana saha says
A curious recipe with an outstanding tale of fusion and memories. I love to read memoirs. Who could think of a comfortable marriage between coconut milk and chhola masala. Would definitely give it a try.
Tina Dawson says
Thank you Kankana! I am so glad you enjoyed reading, and hope you enjoy the recipe as well!
Erin M says
I love having eggplant stacks on Sundays.
Samantha says
I love Breakfast for dinner on Sundays! I would love to try this vegan spinach chickpea coconut curry. It looks … so delicious!! Thanks for the recipe I think I will try and make this this Sunday!
Tina Dawson says
I’m so glad, Samantha! I hope you like it!
Kimmy Ripley says
My favorite Sunday dinner to whip up is my Italian Drunken Noodle. This pot would be perfect for it!
Tina Dawson says
OMG that sounds incredible!!
Annette says
I like to make soups during the weekend to eat throughout the week. My favorite Sunday meal is Tuscan Vegetable Soup with a salad.
Tina Dawson says
I think I should try doing that sometime. Sounds perfectly delicious and healthy and easy all at once!
Kasey Clark says
FoR my Sunday meal, I like to make something hearty that will yield leftovers for later in the week. Soups and curries are perfect for this!
Tina Dawson says
I completely agree! I do the same too! Meatless monday – more like leftover monday! 😀
Samantha says
Love a good curry in the winter. In the summer however , we usually have a light meal like a big salad.
Tina Dawson says
That does make sense, but come winter, keep this curry in mind! <3
Elsie says
Delicious! I love this recipe! And totally agree with you about the Sunday lunch! I miss those days with the whole family around the table.
Tina Dawson says
Life was simpler than it is now, and one can’t help but miss the simple pleasures that life can bring.
Debjani says
Very innovative.. Sounds delish..will definately try this over the weekend:-)
Tina Dawson says
I hope you like it! We absolutely love it here!
Catherine Brown says
Oh my, I do LOVE chickpea coconut curry! I’ve never tried it with spinach though… how perfect!!
Tina Dawson says
It’s not a very traditional combination, but I freaking love the nutritional boost that spinach brings to this dish.
Dana says
This is so gorgeous and perfect and I just want to gobble it all up! I certainly won’t be waiting until the cool weather for this one.
Tina Dawson says
That’s why you’re so awesome, Dana! <3 Enjoy this curry!
Lauren Vavala @ deliciouslittlebites says
This looks AMAZING! I’ll eat just about any curry, but I especially love the use of chickpeas in this recipe!!!
Tina Dawson says
Makes it both delicious as well as nutritious!
Janette | Culinary Ginger says
I’m long overdue for making a good curry and I will be making this. Hopefully in my new pan, entering now 🙂
Tina Dawson says
Oooo Good luck Janette, I hope you win! <3
Shashi at SavorySpin says
While my daughter and I have made it a point to have dinner together, it’s never been an elegant affair – it’s kinda like that with god friends too – no matter how bedlamed the situation maybe, I couldn’t agree more with ya – it is the feelings that are cherished! With that said tho, I can appreciate how gorgeous these Lagostina Opera Stainless Steel pan is! Awesome giveaway, Tina! Delicious sounding curry too!
Tina Dawson says
That’s why I love you girls SO MUCH! It’s the feeling, more than anything else that we should be chasing!
Denisse | Le Petit Eats says
I’m always looking for a new vegan curry to add to our weeknight dinner routine- this looks amazing!
Tina Dawson says
Oh Denisse, you’re gonna LOVE this one, I know!
Ginny McMeans says
That is absolutely the kind of curry that I love. Rich in color with all of the flavors packed in. Those pans are really gorgeous too. Looks like the perfect size.
Tina Dawson says
They are absolute perfection! I am so in love with how functional, yet gorgeous it is!
Ria Panneer says
Hi Tina Aunty!
This looks yummy! My family loves chickpeas so I will try this soon with my mom and send you a photo.
Ria 🙂
Tina Dawson says
OMG Ria darling! It was so lovely to meet you today! Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you love this curry as much as we do!!!