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Great Vegetarian Cooking under Pressure Publisher: Morrow, William & Co © 1994 by Lorna J. Sass ISBN: 0688123260 There are discounted, autographed copies of this book available on Lorna Sass' website.

Reprinted with permission from the author, Lorna J. Sass.

Thai Chickpeas (p. 198-199)
18 minutes high pressure

"It's the best chickpea dish I've ever eaten," say some vegetarian friends who have tasted their way around the world of chickpeas. The inspiration for this most delicious dish comes from a wonderful cookbook called Thai Vegetarian Cooking by Vatcharin Bhumichitr (Clarkson Potter, 1991). I was intrigued to learn that this dish is unusual even in Thailand, where eating beans is not commonplace. The author discovered this dish in a forest monastery west of Bangkok. I have altered the quantities and proportions and substituted sweet potatoes for white - with exciting results.

This dish makes a luscious main course when served over white rice.

Serves 4 to 6.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups dried chickpeas, picked over and rinsed, soaked overnight in ample water to cover or speed-soaked (page 185)
• 3 cups coconut milk (page 19)
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 3/4 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1 cup coarsely chopped fresh or canned (drained) plum tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon mild curry powder
• 1/4 cup minced fresh coriander

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• 1/2 cup minced fresh basil
• 1 to 2 tablespoons tamari soy sauce

Directions

Drain and rinse the chickpeas. In the cooker, combine the chickpeas, coconut milk, garlic, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, curry powder, and coriander.

Lock the lid in place. Over high heat, bring to high pressure. Lower the heat just enough to maintain high pressure and cook for 18 minutes. Allow the pressure to come down naturally or use a quick-release method. Remove the lid, tilting it away from you to allow any excess steam to escape. If the chickpeas are not tender, either return to high pressure for a few more minutes or replace (but do not lock) the lid and simmer until the chickpeas are done.

Add the basil and soy sauce to taste as you break up the sweet potatoes and stir to create a thick sauce.

Variation

If fresh basil is not available, cook the chickpeas with 2 teaspoons of dried basil leaves and stir in the 1/4 cup of fresh coriander at the end.

Tips & Techniques

If using the speed-soak technique, before you begin cooking, cut a few chickpeas in half to be sure they are one color throughout (page 185).