Curry in a Hurry

This is one of those meals that you can put together very quickly. It does require a few staples in the pantry and for the fridge to have some vegetables. It could be made with frozen vegetables if necessary, although, the texture would not be quite as good. Perfect for an end of week dinner and a good way to use up small amounts of vegetables that may be lurking in the crisper. Carrot and potato are a good starting point, however, I use whatever vegetables I have on hand. A cup of frozen peas are a good addition, I usually microwave them and add at the last minute.

The chilli omelette adds a little more substance to the meal. The curry is made nicer by the addition of the Coconut and Herb Chutney, if you have no herbs just use plain yoghurt. This time I also served it with Fejoa Pickle as there was a jar of this open and in the fridge.  Brinjal pickle or commercial Indian style chutney or pickle could be used.

The leftover curry freezes quite well. This dinner came from a container of frozen leftover curry, a bag of frozen leftover cooked rice and was supplemented by the omelette, pickles and chutney which I made because there was plenty of mint in the garden and a some very sad looking coriander in the fridge.

Vegetable Curry

1-2 tablespoons Indian spice blend/curry powder or 3 tablespoon curry paste 1 small knob fresh turmeric or ½ teaspoon powder Small amount of oil to fry spices 6 cloves garlic, crushed 2 onions, diced 1 -2 chillies, finely chopped or more as your spice tolerance dictates

1 large carrot, large dice 1 large potato, large dice 1 small piece  of pumpkin (about 1 cup large dice) 1 large tin chopped tomatoes 1 can coconut milk 1 can chickpeas, rinsed large handful of green beans, cut into halves Optional Use other vegetables that you like and have on hand, such as eggplant, zucchini, cauliflower. fresh coriander, chopped

Put oil in saucepan, add spices and fry over low heat until fragrant, add onions, garlic and chilli and continue to fry, while mixing until onions are slightly softened, add a little water if necessary to prevent spices burning.

Add chickpeas, tinned tomatoes, coconut milk, carrot, potato and pumpkin. Simmer gently until vegetables are just cooked.

Add beans and cook a further three minutes.

Top with chopped coriander

Chilli Omelette

For each omelette allow 2 eggs 1 teaspoon Sambal Oelek A small amount of oil

Method

Whisk the eggs with a teaspoon of the Sambal Oelek and 1 tablespoon of water.

Pour into a hot, lightly oiled pan. The mixture should form a thin layer. Reduce heat if necessary to prevent omelette from burning

Allow to just set or cook and roll up into a sausage shape.

Remove from pan and cut into two.

Repeat as required

Coconut and Herb Chutney

I usually make this a couple of hours before I need it. The mixture thickens as the coconut absorbs the moisture from the yoghurt. If eating immediately you may need to reduce the yoghurt at the blending stage and adjust the consistency with a little more yoghurt.

½ cup dessicated or shredded coconut ½  cup plain/natural youghurt ½ bunch coriander leaves ½ bunch mint leaves

1 -2 cloves garlic 1 birdseye chilli or generous pinch of chilli flakes *Salt to taste, added at the end

Method

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blitz until all ingredients are combined..

Taste and add salt.

Refrigerate, use within two days.

The mixture thickens as the coconut absorbs the moisture from the yoghurt