Spicy Chickpeas and Potatoes

I haven't been a big fan of Indian food, but over the past few years have been slowly acquiring a taste for it. I don't like spicy food as a general rule, preferring the spice toned down a bit. I am always amazed when dining at our local Thai restaurant and two of my kids order their dishes highly spiced, when I go for the level just above no spice. So Indian food is another new adventure for me.

Spicy Chickpeas and Potatoes

2 c. water
1 bay leaf
1 can of chickpeas/garbanzo beans, drained
Olive oil
1 t. ground coriander
1/2 t. cumin
1 t. ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 t. turmeric
Half an onion, chopped
3-5 potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 c. chopped tomatoes
Cilantro

Bring the water and bay leaf to a boil, and add the garbanzo beans. Boil for about 5 minutes, then drain, but retain, the water. Saute the spices and onion until the onion is tender. Add the potatoes and the tomatoes, bring to a boil, cover and reduce to simmer. After about 20 minutes (or until potatoes are soft), add a couple of tablespoons of the reserved garbanzo water and a handful of chopped, fresh cilantro. Cook until the the liquid becomes gravy like. Salt to taste. Serve. Enjoy!

Personally, I found this just a tad too spicy for me, but my kids liked it. Next time I will tone down the spices a bit.

Indian Spiced Peach Fried Rice

The Vegan Mofo challenge for day 23 is: Fusion Challenge!

What comes to mind when you think of Indian food? For me, it's samosas and tikka masala. It certainly isn't fried rice. So, of course, I must remedy this!

Indian Spiced Peach Fried Rice

Leftover rice, chilled in the fridge
One onion, diced
One peach, diced
1 T. chopped ginger
1/4 c. slivered almonds
1/4 t. cardamom
1/8 t. hot pepper sauce (I used more)
Salt and pepper to taste

In a wok, saute the onion, ginger, and almonds until the onion is soft. Be careful not to burn the almonds. Throw in the remaining ingredients and stir, stir, stir, to mix well and keep from burning. Serve. Enjoy!

The challenge for day 24 is: What (inset well known person) would eat if they were vegan.  I'm gonna be perfectly honest here. I. Don't. Care. I really tire of hearing about what celebrity is vegan. It means nothing to me. Yes, of course, I'm happy they are vegan. But when they are photographed wearing fur, or reportedly eating veal in an expensive restaurant, or state in an interview how they simply had to eat meat because their body told them to, I just shake my head. I know not all of them who are vegan ever go back, and I admire them. But I don't spend time thinking about famous people and their veganism, or lack of. So, sorry, I have no idea what any given well known person would eat if they were vegan. Now, ask me to post a recipe by another vegan? I'm cool.