Simmer tender kidney, navy and black beans with spinach, curry spices and coconut milk for this creamy three-bean curry. An easy dinner for Meatless Monday!
1 1/2cupsof cooked beans½ black, ½ navy, ½ kidney, or three of your choice
1tablespoonlemon juice
½of a 14-ounce can of full-fat coconut milkthe bottom, thinner part
1can diced tomatoesfire-roasted add lots of flavor!
2teaspoonscurry powder
¼teaspoongaram masala
¼teaspoonground coriander
½teaspoonground cumin
¼teaspoonturmeric
Pinchcayenne pepperor to taste (I use ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon depending on the spiciness of my curry powder)
Salt and pepper to taste
5ouncesfresh or frozen spinachchopped
1/4cupfresh cilantrochopped, plus more for serving
Cooked turmeric ricesee note
Instructions
Coat a large pot with oil and place it over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, ginger and optional serrano pepper. Sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the cooked beans and lemon juice. Stir to incorporate and cook for 2 minutes. Lightly mash about half of beans with a fork or potato masher. Add the tomatoes with their liquid, coconut milk, curry powder, garam masala, coriander, cumin, turmeric and optional cayenne. Bring the mixture to a simmer and lower the heat. Allow to simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, adding a bit of water if it becomes too thick.
Stir in the spinach and cook until it takes up the flavors of the curry, about 10 minutes, as the curry thickens a little. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir in most of the cilantro.
Divide among bowls or plates. Serve with rice and sprinkle with fresh cilantro.
Notes
I adapted this recipe from this one by Manali. She says, “I have not used a lot of coconut milk in this recipe, just very little. Traditionally coconut milk is not even used in North Indian curry recipes so I just added a little for the taste. To go with this curry, I usually make my recipe for turmeric rice. If I’m in a hurry, however, I just stir ½ teaspoonful of powdered turmeric into the cooking water (when I cook rice, the ratio is 1 cup dry rice to 2 cups water).