At Story House Early Learning, mealtimes are more than just food on a plate; they’re moments of comfort, discovery, and full tummies. Behind the scenes at our Pakenham centre, our talented Chef Amandi has been serving up nutritious, delicious meals with heart.
With a deep passion for creating child-friendly meals packed with goodness, Chef Amandi has perfected dishes that our little learners genuinely look forward to. Curious what’s on the menu?
Today, we’re sharing one of these family favourites straight from Chef Amandi’s kitchen, her much-loved Chickpea Curry recipe. Packed with nutrients and hidden veg, this one’s a hit at lunchtime and perfect for the whole family to recreate at home.
Chef Amandi’s Chickpea Curry Rice
Ingredients
- For the curry:
- 2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup coconut milk
- ½ cup vegetable stock
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tbsp olive oil (or any oil of choice)
- 1/2 cup spinach
- For the rice:
- 1 1/2 cups basmati or jasmine rice
- 3 cups water
Method
- Cook the rice:
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
- Add the rice and water to the rice cooker.
- Start the rice cooker and let it cook until the rice is done.
- Make the chickpea curry:
- In a large skillet or saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened.
- Add the garlic, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in the curry powder, turmeric. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
- Add the coconut milk and vegetable broth and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the chickpeas and cook for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the curry to thicken and the flavours to combine.
- If you’re using spinach, stir it in at the end and cook for another 2-3 minutes until wilted. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
Whether it’s their first taste of chickpea curry or a regular favourite, this dish is always a winner at Story House. It’s hearty, wholesome, and made with love, just how Chef Amandi likes it.
Stay tuned for more recipes and behind-the-scenes moments from our incredible team of educators, carers, and chefs.
