SWEET POTATO & COCONUT CURRY

I’m loving the cooler weather we are having at the moment, as it means that I get to use my stove without sweat in profusely. I have had so much sweet potato to get rid of this week that I decided a big curry would be the best way to utilise it. A very simple curry to make, the spices really are essential here as otherwise this dish could be considered bland. Garam masala is a strong blend of spices that is used in Indian cuisine. The spices that are often used to make this fusion are coriander, cumin, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg. I usually use around ½ a teaspoon of this spice with every 500g of meat or vegetables I cook as it is an intense combination of flavours. You can find ground garam masala, ground turmeric and ground coriander from your local big supermarket.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup brown rice 
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil 
• 3 spring onions, finely chopped
• 3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped / crushed
• 700g sweet potato, peeled & chopped into even cubes
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon ground garam masala 
• 2 cups Massel vegetable stock (or 2 cups water)
• 325 - 400ml light coconut milk
• 1 head of broccoli, florets cut evenly and stalk roughly chopped
• extra chopped spring onions & coriander leaves, to serve 

COOKING

1. Place the rice in a saucepan with 2 cups of water and a generous pinch of sea salt. Cover and bring to the boil over high heat, then simmer when boiled for 20 - 25 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the water is absorbed. Remove from heat. 

2. Whilst the rice is cooking, heat the oil in a large, deep saucepan over medium heat and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. After 1 minute add the spring onions and garlic and stir, cooking for 2 minutes or until the spring onions begin to wilt slightly. 

3. Add the sweet potato and stir to coat in with the oil, onion and garlic. Add the ground coriander, ground turmeric and ground garam masala to the pan and stir vigorously to combine so the spices do not stick to the pan. 

4. Pour in the stock and coconut milk and bring to the boil. Simmer, covered for 4 - 5 minutes, then add in the chopped broccoli and cover again for another 5 - 7 minutes. After 5 minutes check the tenderness of the sweet potato and broccoli by sticking a fork into the vegetable (if the fork slides in smoothly, then the curry can be taken off the stove; if the fork meets resistance, keep simmering for another few minutes before checking again). When the vegetables are tender remove from heat. 

Serve the curry on a bed of brown rice, topped with chopped spring onions and coriander leaves. 

Serves / 4 - 6

Total Preparation time / 15 minutes 

Total Cooking time / 30 minutes (including cooking the brown rice)

x Emily