Curry with Apples, Kale, Chickpeas & Cashews


Candy, crisp apples won’t be the very first thing you attain for at curry time, however they belong there. This cozy vegetarian curry simmers apples proper alongside chickpeas, carrots and kale in a creamy coconut-tomato broth, and the fruit’s pure sweetness seems to be precisely what heat curry spices had been lacking.

Bowl of vegetarian apple curry with chickpeas, kale, and cashews next to a bowl of basmati rice and fresh apples

Key Components & Substitutions

  • Apple. A candy, crisp selection like Gala, Braeburn or Honeycrisp holds its form finest because it simmers. Softer baking apples like McIntosh will work in a pinch, however they will break down extra and thicken the broth additional.
  • Curry powder. Manufacturers range so much in taste and warmth, so use one you genuinely just like the style of – it is the spine of the entire dish. A light or medium curry powder is a secure default if you happen to’re unsure.
  • Full-fat or mild coconut milk. Mild coconut milk retains the curry just a little leaner; full-fat makes it richer and creamier. Both works right here.
  • Chickpeas. Canned, drained and rinsed is the best route. Cooked dried chickpeas work too – you will want about 1 ½ cups.
  • Kale. Curly or Lacinato (dinosaur) kale each work nicely. Child spinach is a advantageous substitute if that is what you’ve – simply stir it in over the past minute or two, because it wilts a lot sooner than kale.
  • Vegetable broth. Use a low-sodium broth if you happen to can, because the recipe already requires added salt. Water works in a pinch, although the flavour will likely be a bit thinner.

Useful Suggestions

Toast the spices earlier than including liquid. Cooking the curry powder, turmeric, cumin and cardamom within the oil with the garlic and ginger for a couple of minute – simply till aromatic – wakes up their taste in a method that stirring them into the broth later does not. Watch carefully, since floor spices can scorch shortly in a sizzling, dry pan.

Minimize the apples and carrots to the same measurement. Chopping the apple and carrot items roughly the identical measurement means they will each be tender on the identical time, relatively than ending up with mushy apple and still-firm carrot.

Add the kale final. Stirring the kale in through the last 5 minutes retains it vibrant and tender-crisp as an alternative of overcooked and uninteresting. If you happen to’re utilizing a heartier kale like curly kale, give it the complete 5 minutes; extra delicate greens want much less time.

Style and alter the seasoning on the finish. Simmering mellows the spices considerably, so style the curry simply earlier than serving and add a bit extra salt, pepper or curry powder if it wants it.

Do not skip the toppings. The cilantro and cashews aren’t simply garnish – the contemporary herb and the crunch from the cashews are what hold each chew from tasting one-note. Chop the cashews simply earlier than serving in order that they keep crisp.

Variations

  • Make it heartier. Stir in a cup of cubed candy potato or butternut squash together with the carrots for an much more filling curry – our Sweet Potato Chickpea Curry is an effective template if you wish to lean additional in that course.
  • Swap the greens. Child spinach, Swiss chard and even shredded cabbage can all stand in for the kale.
  • Add protein. Cubed extra-firm tofu, pan-seared and added together with the chickpeas, bulks up the protein with out altering the flavour a lot.
  • Flip up the warmth. A pinch of cayenne or a chopped contemporary chile together with the opposite spices provides a pleasant kick if you happen to like your curry spicier.
  • Attempt totally different fruit. Pear works fantastically instead of apple, and dried apricots or raisins stirred in with the chickpeas add little bursts of sweetness all through.
  • Swap the nuts. No cashews readily available? Toasted slivered almonds or peanuts make a fantastic garnish substitute.

Serving Concepts

Basmati rice is the traditional pairing right here, and it is what we attain for many – the delicate, fluffy grains absorb the curry’s broth completely. Heat naan is implausible alongside it too, particularly for scooping up the final bits of sauce from the bowl.

For a lighter meal, ladle the curry over a mattress of greens as an alternative of rice, or serve it with a easy cucumber salad on the facet to stability out the nice and cozy spices. If you happen to’re within the temper to discover extra curries after this one, our roundup of 17 best vegetarian and vegan curry recipes is an effective place to begin.

Storing & Freezing

Let the curry cool to room temperature, then retailer it in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. The flavour truly deepens in a single day, so leftovers typically style even higher than the primary bowl. Reheat gently on the stovetop or within the microwave, including a splash of broth or water if it is thickened up an excessive amount of.

This curry freezes nicely, minus the rice and toppings. Freeze the curry base alone in an hermetic, freezer-safe container for as much as 3 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge, then reheat on the stovetop over medium-low warmth, stirring often, till warmed by way of – prepare dinner a contemporary batch of rice and add the cilantro and cashews simply earlier than serving.

Bowl of fresh fall apples on a white plate, ready to be chopped for curry

Extra Vegetarian Curry Recipes

If you happen to cherished this recipe, listed here are a number of extra you may get pleasure from:

📖 Recipe

Overhead view of vegetarian apple curry with chickpeas, kale, and cashews served over basmati rice in a white bowl

Curry with Apples

A comfy vegetarian curry loaded with candy apples, chickpeas, kale and carrots in a creamy coconut-tomato broth, topped with crunchy cashews and contemporary cilantro.