Indian Lettuce Bowls With Balti Paste

Vibrant Balti paste, traditionally used for tangy curries, gives amazing flavour to chickpeas in a lettuce bowl. From alive.com.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• Balti Paste Dry Curry

• 1  inch cinnamon stick
• 2  teaspoons cumin seeds
• 1  teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• 1  teaspoon yellow mustard seeds
• 1  tablespoon turmeric
• 1  tablespoon paprika

• Balti Paste

• 1  tablespoon coconut oil
• 1  medium onion, peeled and chopped
• 3  large garlic cloves
• 1  tablespoon  peeled and minced  fresh gingerroot
• 1  fresh  red Thai chile, end removed
• 1⁄2 lime, juice and zest of
•  salt
•  fresh ground black pepper, to taste

• Lettuce Bowls

• 2  cups canned chick-peas, rinsed and drained
• 4  large  curly leaf lettuce leaves
• 4  firm ripe tomatoes, seeded and finely diced
• 1  cup  finely diced unpeeled English cucumber
• 1⁄2 cup  thick plain  Greek yogurt
• 1⁄2 cup  coarsely chopped cilantro
• 6  fresh lime wedges

Directions

1. For Balti Paste Dry Curry: Combine cinnamon stick, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, and yellow mustard seeds in dry frying pan. Toast over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring steadily, until they begin to release an aroma. Transfer to bowl to cool.
2. Place in spice grinder and grind to fine powder. Move to bowl and stir in turmeric and paprika. Set aside.
3. For Balti Paste: Heat oil in heavy saucepan. Add onion, garlic, ginger, and whole Thai chili, and sauté over medium heat until soft but not golden. Transfer to blender along with lime zest and juice, and process to a paste. Stir in Balti Dry Curry spice mixture. Set aside to cool. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. For Lettuce Bowls: Place drained chickpeas in mixing bowl. Spoon half the Balti Paste overtop, using a spatula to gently fold it in so chickpeas are lightly coated. Store extra in tightly sealed container in refrigerator for up to 1 week for another use.
5. Line 4 serving plates with lettuce leaves. Place scoop of curried chickpeas in lettuce bowl. Scatter with diced tomato and cucumber. Top with generous dollop of yogurt and chopped cilantro. Serve each with lime wedge.