Vegan Chickpeas and Sweet Potato Curry

This is the first time ever, I made this curry. Actually I created this recipe with throwing ingredients together after rummaging my brain and pantry to make something out of nothing. I wasn’t too sure about the combination of sweet potato, chickpeas and mushroom but the result astounded me. It turned out fantastic. I was ecstatic.

My hubby always says that I prepare best and exquisite meals when I put together whatever is available in the fridge and pantry. I guess, I just love the challenge of preparing a meal that everyone will love with limited resources.

I should document these crisis creations as I face these situation more often than I would like being a busy mom.

This curry is full of flavour. It has a big hit of chilli, thick and rich gravy, balance of spice, earthiness, sweetness and also packed a punch with hint of lemon juice.

Without further ado, I’m very excited to share this recipe. I hope you will love it as much as I enjoyed it,

Ingredients

4 tablespoons of oil
1 medium size onion finely sliced
1-2 green cardamom pods
1-2 cloves
A small sprig of cinnamon
2 medium size tomatoes cubed
5 green chillies sliced in half (or adjust per your liking)
1 sweet potato (peeled and cubed)
1 can of chickpeas (400g)
750ml of water or vegetable stock
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon garam masala
2 bay leaves
A handful of dried tea-tree mushroom (soak it in hot water for 10 minutes to rehydrate it)
4 cloves of chopped garlic
A small piece of chopped ginger
Salt as per taste
Lemon juice (half lemon squeezed)

In a pan, heat oil and add cinnamon, cloves and cardamom and toss it for few seconds to release its aroma. Fry onion until golden brown on a medium heat.

Add chillies, tomatoes and cubed sweet potatoes cook it for 5 minutes until tomato and potato softens.

Add chickpeas and all dry spices (cumin, turmeric, coriander, curry powder, garam masala powder, chilli powder) and salt and cook it for few minutes to cook rawness of the spices.

Add bay leaves and add liquid. Cover the pot with a lid and cook it for 5 minutes until the liquid comes to boil.

Add tea-tree mushroom and cook it in a gentle simmer for 15 minutes until the gravy thickens and chickpeas and potatoes are soft.

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Add lemon juice and stir it. Serve it with bowl of rice or rotis. Enjoy.

Note: For non vegetarians, substitute water with chicken or beef stock and add a chicken stock cube to make it meatier.

My Online Shopping Haul

As a busy new mom, I am still trying to find time to do regular things like shopping. Whenever I go shopping, regardless of meticulous planning, I have to rush while shopping or we just have to cut shopping trip short. My baby doesn’t like to sit in the pram for too long and he gets fussy so I have to hold him. It’s pretty good work out trying to shop while carrying little one.

When I plan and go shopping, I can’t find anything I like. But on random visits to mall, I find stuff that I want to buy. It happens to me all the time.

It’s one thing or another as so I’ve started to do lot more online shopping

Online shopping is very convenient. It’s the best thing for busy parents like me. I can browse for hours on my phone without having to leave the couch. There’s no pressure to buy the item, so I’m loving it.

The are many downsides of buying online. It’s hard to know if an item is going to fit or not. Regardless of standard sizing, the fitting are not same from one company to other. I can fit into size 10 easily with Target outfits but if it’s Zara then I have to buy size 12.

Item looks completely different to photo.

Return or exchange is always difficult as you have to bear the cost of postage and handling.

I have had lots of hits and misses with my online buys. But it does give me the satisfaction of getting retail therapy that I need once in a while.

Here’s my review of my retail experience and quality of produces from these companies

Boohoo

I ordered a pale pink midi, a striped tee, golden belt and pack of 3 belts with gold buckle and a polka dot skirt.
The communication was fantastic. After placing the order they kept updating my order status like when it left their warehouse to arrival in Australia. Also once in the country, I got tracking ID from Aus post and was also informed about the day it was being delivered. Mind you I opted for standard free shipping.

The order was neatly packed in clear plastic bags. I was very happy with the quality of the product. The most expensive item ($25) was for metallic belt which is gorgeous. It’s a on trend accessory which will add that wow factor to dresses.

Pink midi and polka dot skirt came with belts. I expected a pale pink midi as per description but it is very pink than it seems in the photo. I will mostly like wear a lot of striped tee and polka dot skirt. I think metallic gold belt and pink midi will go in my wish list pile. I have put on a few kilos after my baby’s birth so until I lose those kilos, they are waiting on my ‘wish I’m skinny to fit in these list.’

Overall my rating for Boohoo is 9 out of 10. Great communication, good quality items and affordable price.

Misguided

I’ve been watching this ads on Telly for Misguided. So I jumped online for my retail therapy. I wanted to buy some box tops. I went to entire collection and when I see the ones I wanted, there were only in size 6,8, 14 and 16s available. I couldn’t find any in my size. It must be quite popular item. I end up buying 2 jumpers, a black and white and a canary yellow. One was $35 and another $25.

I also bought a cream cigarette trousers for $45.

After placing the order, I got the confirmation of order email. I again opted for free standard shipping. I didn’t receive any information on my order status after that confirmation of order email. I waited for a week and kept checking my order status online but it didn’t have any information on whether it was shipped or not. After a week I contacted misguided team on the order status. I did get a prompt response saying the order has been shipped and due to free shipping, there’s no tracking ID. However next day I got my parcel so I was happy chappy.

The order was neatly packed. The canary yellow jumper is very nice and bright. It’s loose fit and not that thick so I can wear it with boyfriend jeans in spring, when it’s still that chill in the air. The black and white jumper I ordered is Med/large but it’s a tight fit for me. Again it will go in my wish list pile. The trousers is bit yellowish for my liking but I can work with it.

Overall I rate them 8 out of 10. Not great at updating on order status, but items are good quality and as described. It’s slightly dearer than Boohoo but nonetheless it’s good buy.

Happy shopping everyone.

Note: This is not endorsed review and it’s based on my personal experience.