Indian Dish Spice Route Recipe

Description:

A vibrant and aromatic Indian dish, the Spice Route boasts a rich, reddish-brown sauce brimming with tender chickpeas and bright green peas. The sauce itself is thick and deeply flavorful, thanks to a complex blend of warm spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala. The finely chopped onions melt into the sauce, creating a smooth texture. Bright green flecks of cilantro punctuate the rich sauce, offering a fresh counterpoint to the warm spices. Served over fluffy basmati rice, the dish presents a visually appealing contrast of colors and textures, promising a delicious and satisfying culinary journey. The overall color is a warm, inviting reddish-brown with pops of vibrant green from the peas and cilantro. The rice provides a creamy off-white base, making the dish visually appealing and appetizing.

Ingredients:

• - 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• - 1 large onion, finely chopped
• - 2 cloves garlic, minced
• - 1 inch ginger, grated
• - 1 tsp ground cumin
• - 1 tsp ground coriander
• - 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• - 1/2 tsp garam masala
• - 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• - 1 cup vegetable broth
• - 1 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• - 1 cup frozen peas
• - 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• - Salt and pepper to taste
• - Cooked basmati rice, for serving

Instructions:

1. 1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. 2. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. 3. Stir in the ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, cayenne pepper (if using), garam masala, and ground cloves. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
4. 4. Add the diced tomatoes (undrained) and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. 5. Stir in the chickpeas and frozen peas. Continue to simmer for another 5 minutes, or until the peas are heated through.
6. 6. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. 7. Serve the Indian Dish Spice Route hot over cooked basmati rice. Garnish with extra cilantro, if desired.
8. 8. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning as needed. You may wish to add a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness or a pinch of sugar to balance the spices.