Chickpeas curry

Dosha Balance

• Vata: Grounding, moist, warming, and comforting

• Pitta: Balancing when mild, with fresh herbs and gentle sweetness

• Kapha: Energizing and light, especially if made with less oil and more herbs

🧄

Ingredients

(Serves 3–4)

• 1½ cups cooked chickpeas (or 1 can, rinsed and drained)

• 1 tablespoon ghee or olive oil

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional — skip for very mild Pitta)

• 1 small carrot, finely diced

• 1 small celery stalk, chopped

• 1 bay leaf

• ½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ¼ tsp dried)

• ½ teaspoon rosemary, finely chopped

• 1 cup chopped tomatoes (fresh or crushed)

• 1½ cups vegetable broth or warm water

• ½ cup coconut milk or oat cream (optional — for creaminess and to calm Vata)

• Sea salt or rock salt, to taste

• Juice of ½ lemon or apple cider vinegar, added at the end

• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped, for garnish

🍲

Method

1. Warm the ghee or oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
   Add onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté until soft and fragrant (about 5–7 minutes).

2. Add garlic, bay leaf, rosemary, and thyme. Stir gently for a minute to release their aroma.

3. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften and meld into the base (5–8 minutes).

4. Stir in the chickpeas and broth, and bring to a gentle simmer.
   Let cook uncovered for 15–20 minutes, allowing flavors to deepen.

5. Stir in coconut milk (if using) for creaminess, then add salt to taste.
   Cook another 5 minutes on low heat.

6. Turn off heat and add lemon juice. Stir well.

7. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil, and serve warm — ideally with warm quinoa, millet, or roasted sweet potatoes.

🌸

Ayurvedic Notes (Western Context)

• Vata: Add extra olive oil or ghee and coconut milk for creaminess; serve hot.

• Pitta: Use less garlic and rosemary; add more parsley or basil for cooling.

• Kapha: Skip coconut milk; increase lemon juice and use more thyme and pepper.

✨

Healing Benefits

• Chickpeas: Strengthen tissues and provide steady energy; rich in plant protein.

• Carrot & celery: Add grounding sweetness and support digestion.

• Rosemary & thyme: Stimulate circulation and gentle agni (digestive fire).

• Bay leaf: Supports detox and clears stagnation (ama).

• Lemon juice: Enhances mineral absorption and adds lightness.

• Ghee: Nourishes the nervous system and balances dryness.

🍽️

Serving Ideas

• Pair with brown rice, quinoa, or millet for a complete meal.

• For a light supper, serve with steamed greens and a drizzle of lemon.

• Add a sprinkle of toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds for extra grounding.