1 large onion, cut into 1-inch chunks (about 2 cups)
3 large garlic cloves, peeled
1 (2-inch-long 1-inch-diameter) piece peeled fresh ginger (about 2 ounces)
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon garam masala
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 serrano or jalapeno chile, seeded, chopped
2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 cups vegetable broth
2 teaspoons (packed) golden brown sugar, or sugar substitute (honey, agave nectar)
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon grated lime peel
2 whole green cardamom pods
1 pound red-skinned sweet potatoes (yams), cut into 1-inch cubes
12 ounces russet potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 1/4 cups finely grated peeled fresh coconut (about 4 ounces; grated in processor) or canned
2 large carrots, cut into 1/2-inch rounds
2 tomatoes, cored, chopped
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 ounces baby spinach leaves, or kale, chard, or collard greens
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Puree first 7 ingredients in processor until paste forms. Cook in large pot over medium heat until aromatic, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Add tomato paste. Cook until mixture starts to darken and brown, stirring often, about 5 minutes longer.
Add broth, brown sugar, lime leaves, and cardamom. Simmer 10 minutes, stirring often and scraping up browned bits. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 days ahead. Cool, cover, and chill. Bring to simmer before continuing.
Add sweet potatoes, russet potatoes, coconut, carrots, tomatoes, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to mixture in pot. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to medium low. Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes. Add spinach, if desired, and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Discard cardamom. Transfer curry to bowl; garnish with cilantro and serve by itself or with rice, quinoa, amaranth, millet, barley, etc.!
Adapted from Bon Appétit
May 2008
by Annabel Langbein
