Eggplant & Chickpea Curry

This is a slight variation on a recipe I found on the NZ Herald Website. It is a nice curry that makes use of summer vegetables.

Serves 4

Ingredients
• 1.5 medium eggplants, cut in 3cm cubes
• 100ml olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 tsp curry powder
• 1 green chilli, seeds removed and chopped
• 3 tsp garam masala
• 2 tsp coriander
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 400ml coconut milk
• 100g cherry tomatoes
• 1 can chickpeas
• Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 2 handfuls of spinach
• ½ cup chopped coriander

Method
1. Put eggplant on a plate and sprinkle with salt. After 20 minutes rinse and pat dry.
2. Heat the oil in a large pot to a medium heat. Add the onion and garlic. Cook for 2 or 3 minutes until starting to soften. Add the curry, chilli, garam masala, coriander and turmeric. Stir for 1 minute until fragrant.

3. Add the eggplant and stir until well coated in spice and continue to cook until starting to soften. Add the coconut milk. Cover and cook on a low heat for 30 minutes. Add the tomatoes and chickpeas. Cook for a further 10 to 15 minutes until all soft and delicious.

4. Before serving season with salt and pepper and fold through the spinach and coriander.