Chickpea Dumplings in Creamy Coconut Curry and Spinach Sauce (vegan)

Sometime ago I went to a Diwali festival. One of the many dishes served was a chickpea dumpling in a creamy sauce that I think contained yoghurt. Whilst I am not vegetarian or vegan I very much enjoy meat free meals. These dumplings are my attempt to recreate a similar dish but without yoghurt or any animal product. These dumplings are easily made. Use commercial curry paste for convenience. A tomato based sauce is also delicious and suitable for a spicier or hotter paste and a little extra chilli.

Chickpea Dumplings

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 cup chickpea flour ( Besan)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

4 spring onions, finely chopped

1/2 cup almond milk/soy milk/water

2 tablespoons chia seeds (optional)

Mash chickpeas, use a fork or potato masher.

Mix together with remaining ingredients to form a thick mouldable mixture. 

If too dry add a little more liquid, if too wet add a little more chickpea flour.

Form mixture into small balls.

Gently fry in a little oil until lightly browned.

Drop the Dumplings into the sauce and simmer gently until warmed through.

Serve with rice

Creamy Coconut Curry and Spinach Sauce

1 can coconut cream

2 tablespoons curry paste (Korma)

1 onion finely diced

1-2 cloves of garlic, crushed

1 packet frozen spinach

Salt to taste

Soften onion in a little oil over low heat, add garlic and curry paste and cook until fragrant.

Add coconut cream, spinach and a little water.

Simmer sauce for a few minutes, add salt to taste. 

Add dumplings and continue to cook in simmering sauce until heated through. Stir gently to avoid breaking the dumplings.

Here’s How

Mash the chickpeas.

Combine with remaining ingredients.

Adjust the consistency of the mixture if necessary. You should be able to mould it into ball shapes or dumplings.

Gently fry until golden brown and the dumplings are set



Keep heating and eat as a snack or drop into the sauce, simmering gently until heated through.



Add extra vegetables to the sauce

Or use a tomato based sauce, add some extra beans and vegetables if liked.