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food_related/Slow Cooker Lentil & Chickpea Curry.md

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+# Slow Cooker Lentil & Chickpea Curry
+
+## Ingredients:
+
+- **Legumes**:
+  - 1 cup dry lentils, rinsed, soaked overnight, and drained
+  - ½ to ⅔ cup dry chickpeas, rinsed, soaked overnight, and drained
+- **Veggies**:
+  - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
+  - 2 large tomatoes, chopped (or a 14 oz can of diced tomatoes)
+  - 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color)
+  - 3 garlic cloves, minced
+  - 1-inch ginger, minced or grated
+- **Liquid**:
+  - 2 to 2½ cups vegetable or chicken broth (you might need a bit more due to the soaked legumes)
+  - 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
+- **Seasonings/Spices**:
+  - 2 tsp curry powder
+  - 1 tsp turmeric powder
+  - 1 tsp ground cumin
+  - 1 tsp ground coriander
+  - ½ tsp red chili powder (adjust to taste)
+  - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
+- **Finish**:
+  - Juice of ½ lemon or lime
+  - Fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish
+
+## Instructions:
+
+1. **Toasting Spices**: (Optional but recommended) In a small pan, toast curry powder, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and chili powder for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Set aside.
+2. **Layering in Slow Cooker**: Begin by placing onions, tomatoes, bell pepper, garlic, and ginger at the bottom.
+3. Spread the overnight-soaked and drained lentils and chickpeas over the veggies.
+4. Sprinkle all the toasted spices (from step 1) along with salt and pepper over the legumes.
+5. Pour in the broth, making sure the legumes are submerged. Pour the coconut milk on top without stirring it in.
+6. Cook on LOW for 7-9 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until lentils and chickpeas are tender.
+7. Before serving, stir in the lemon or lime juice for brightness and adjust seasoning if needed.
+8. Garnish with fresh cilantro when serving.
+
+## Tips:
+
+- **Texture**: For a creamier texture, you can blend a portion of the curry with an immersion blender and then mix it back in.
+- **Accompaniment**: Serve this curry with naan bread, flatbread, or rice.
+- **Storage**: The curry stores well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and often tastes even better the next day as flavors meld.
+- **Spice Levels**: Adjust the chili powder to suit your heat preference.
+
+**Relish the deep flavors and heartwarming vibes of this Slow Cooker Lentil & Chickpea Curry!**