Students' Curry 2

Here's the second in the series of curries which anyone can make anywhere with basic ingredients from any supermarket without a long list of 10 zillion ingredients.

Let me introduce you to: Chole Masala

Chole = chick peas
Masala = mix

It's a variation on a North Indian classic, sort of imagining a Punjabi chef arriving in a Lidl in Poland and having to do his worst!

Serves: 4
Per person: 3.75 zl (68 UK pence, 8.25 Swedish Kronar)

Ingredients:

Everything was from Lidl, bar one item - the chick peas! Sometimes you can get cans of them there, sometimes not. However, they're usually available somewhere. If not, though, just use a can of different beans (not baked beans - that would be revolting). If you want to save a bit of money, buy them dry. Soak a couple of handfuls overnight in plain water then drain. Cook in a fresh batch of water for around 2 hours or until soft.

- 2 onions very finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 inch of ginger minced
- 1 can of chick peas
- 2-3 chillies chopped
- 1 can of tomatoes blended
- 1 good tsp of cumin seeds (yes, you can get them in Lidl - I checked!)
- 1 tsp turmeric powder (ditto)
- veg oil
- salt
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- handful of finely chopped coriander (optional, but yes - it was from Lidl)

Let's crack on!

1. Prep the ingredients - chop what needs to be chopped and blend what needs to be blended. Mince what needs to be minced (I used a fine grater)

2. Get some oil into that pan (don't be shy with the oil). Cumin seeds in. 30 secs.

3. Onions in. Add a pinch of salt. Cook down on low-medium heat for around 10 minutes.

4. Chillies in. Saute for a further 5 minutes. Maybe you're thinking "Whoah! That's a lot of chilli!" Indeed. Taste them first. If they're mild, don't be shy - chuck them in! They're packed with vitamin C and give good flavour as well as heat.

5. Ginger/ garlic paste in! Saute for a further 2-3 minutes.

6. Turmeric in. 30 secs.

7. Tomatoes in

8. Chick peas in. Cover. Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.

9. If you're using coriander, now's your chance to pluck and chop it.

10. Coriander in. Add a squeeze or two of lemon. 

11. Give it one more minute. Turn off the heat. Done!

Serve with basmati rice.

Cost:

- chick peas: 4 zl
- tomatoes: 2 zl
- Onions, garlic, ginger, chillies: 3 zl
- coriander: 2 zl
- basmati rice for 4 people: 3.20 zl
- spices: 0.80 zl

Total: 15 zl
Per person: 3.75 zl