Chickpea Curry

Before I get to my best lunch ever I just want to share what arrived for me in the mail today:

Yes, in the flesh, that is a coveted application for the 2010 Boston Marathon, now filled out and ready to be sent by overnight mail tomorrow. I am a little weepy just looking at it! There is just so much tradition and excitement that surrounds this amazing race, and I am so excited to be running it again. Its not going to be easy as I have a long training road ahead and I am way behind where I want to be on fundraising. I hope to do a raffle soon, but I will first need to have items donated so it is not a complete loss for me financially. As soon as I have more information you know I will be posting here!

I have been trying to eat as many healthy, homemade meals as possible in the days leading up to my travel marathon this month. Lunch this week has been one of the best one pot dishes I have ever made.

Inspired by one of my favorite Indian dishes, Chana Masala, the recipe was fairly simple:

4 cups chickpeas, soaked overnight

2 cans diced plum tomatoes with basil

2 cups thinly sliced potato slices

1 shallot, minced

5 cloves garlic, minced

1 TSP curry powder

1/2 TSP crushed red pepper flakes

1 TSP cayenne pepper

Generous shake of freshly ground black pepper

Pinch sea salt

Pinch freshly ground cinnamon stick

Making this dish was as easy as combining all of the ingredients and cooking slowly until the potatoes are soft. You can let it simmer as long as you want, as the flavors only get more intense and the smell beats any scented candles you could ever buy!

The sauce was rich and spicy and while it is not the same as Chana Masala, it quelled my Indian food craving for now and provided a delicious,  vegetarian, protein filled, hot mid day meal for me each day this week.

Guys, I have a crazy schedule coming up. I will be leaving Friday to work in Arizona for several long days, then home again for two days and off to Ireland. And there is lots to do both at home and the office in the meantime!

I hope you are all having a great week. Hump day is over, and it is smooth sailing to the weekend! (Unless you are working all weekend like I am!)