Recipe: Your Next Recovery Meal — Warming Chickpea and Lentil Curry

How is this curry dish going to help me recover?

Chickpeas and lentils are very healthy and filling ingredients. Additionally, they are both a great source of protein and carbs — which are essential for your body to recover after a workout. Chickpeas and lentils work especially well in a curry dish because their mild flavor unites with the spices perfectly. These ingredients also have a lot of fiber which is helpful to keep you filling fueled and full for hours! Another ingredient in this dish that will help you recover is the curry powder. Let’s talk more about curry powder and its magical powers!

Curry and its healing powers!

Curry powder usually consists of turmeric, coriander, chili, cumin, ginger, and black pepper. Turmeric, coriander, and chili are known for their anti-inflammatory properties which are essential to helping your body recover after a workout. Some say that curry powder can even help with increasing blood flow! Also, curry has a very satisfying flavor to it — paired with chickpeas and lentils, you will create a very filling and satisfying meal. No need to grab a snack after dinner!

Don’t be afraid to change it up a little.

There are many variations to this recipe that you can make. If you’d like to add some additional protein to this curry dish, you can add chicken, tofu, tempeh, or another meat protein, like goat or even seafood! If you don’t have any chickpeas (or if you don’t like them that much), you can change these out to really any canned beans. Cannellini, black, or even pinto beans will work for this recipe. Just make sure they are canned, so that they are nice and soft. If you are ever using dried beans or chickpeas, you will need to soak them overnight before cooking. Unlike dried lentils (which can be cooked right away), most other beans and legumes need to be soaked first to cook properly.

Warming Lentil and Chickpea Curry

This dish is a terrific recovery meal during these cold months.

SERVINGS: 4 servings

CALORIES: 409 kcal per serving

INGREDIENTS

1 can (15oz) chickpeas

1 cup dried red lentils

1 can (13.5 fl oz) coconut milk

1 onion

salt (to taste)

pepper (to taste)

3 TBSP curry powder

1 cup vegetable stock

3 cloves garlic

1 TBSP vegetable oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1.) In a large pot, heated to medium heat, add oil, onions and garlic. Cook until onions and garlic are golden.

2.) Add lentils and coconut milk to pot. Stir to combine.

3.) Bring the mixture to a very gentle boil and let the lentils cook for about 15 minutes, or until they are soft.

4.) Add vegetable stock, salt, pepper, curry powder, and chickpeas. Stir to combine and cook for an additional 5 minutes (or until the curry is thickened up).

5.) Serve your Curry with a side of rice, naan, or eat on its own like a stew!

NUTRITION

Serving size: 1 cup

Calories: 409kcal

Carbohydrates: 36g

Protein: 15g

Fat: 25g

Saturated Fat: 19g

Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g

Monounsaturated Fat: 2g

Trans Fat: 1g

Sodium: 254mg

Potassium: 759mg

Fiber: 16g

Sugar: 3g

Vitamin A: 188IU

Vitamin C: 6mg

Calcium: 74mg

Iron: 8mg

Tried this recipe? Let us know how you liked it!