A Lila lunch recipe

Creamy Chickpea and Spinach Curry Bowl

A comforting, gently spiced Indian-inspired curry featuring tender chickpeas and wilted spinach in a rich coconut-tomato broth. Perfect for sensitive digestion, this high-fiber meal is both nourishing and deeply satisfying.

Prep

10 min

Cook

20 min

Total

30 min

Makes

2 servings

Creamy Chickpea and Spinach Curry Bowl, prepared as a finished Lila recipe
30g protein24g fiber30 MinutePlant Based

The feel-good payoff

Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause

Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.

Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s Health

Digestive comfort

A portion that works for you

Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.

Notice: comfort + portion

Steadier energy

Feel fueled, not flattened

A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.

Notice: energy 1–3 hours later

More staying power

Make the next few hours easier

This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.

Notice: energy + fullness later

Setup

Get set up

Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.

Start cooking

Prep

10 min

Cook

20 min

Total

30 min

How many are you cooking for?

The ingredient amounts update automatically.

2 servings

Equipment

Large skillet

Time saver

Prep the vegetables and measure pantry ingredients earlier in the day to shorten cook time.

Do these three things first

  • 1Prep cans chickpeas (drained)
  • 2Set out all ingredients before cooking
  • 3Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan

Ingredients

Gather as you go

0 of 11 ready

Ingredients

From Your Pantry

Cook along

Instructions

0 of 6 steps complete

Next: Rinse the basmati rice until the water…

  1. 01

    Rinse the basmati rice until the water…

    Rinse the basmati rice until the water runs clear. Combine the rice, 1 cup of water, and a pinch of salt in a small pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let it steam with the lid on.

    Look for: the water runs clear

    Tap card to mark done
  2. 02

    Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil or…

    While the rice cooks, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil or coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.

    Look for: softened and translucent

    Tap card to mark done
  3. 03

    Stir in your pantry spices

    Stir in your pantry spices: 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, and a pinch of black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until highly fragrant.

    Look for: highly fragrant

    Tap card to mark done
  4. 04

    Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their…

    Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juices) and the thoroughly rinsed chickpeas. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover partially, and let cook for 10 minutes so the flavors meld together.

    Allow: 10 minutes

    Tap card to mark done
  5. 05

    Stir in the fresh baby spinach and…

    Stir in the fresh baby spinach and coconut milk. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the spinach is completely wilted and the curry is creamy and heated through. Taste and season generously with salt.

    Look for: the spinach is completely wilted and the curry is creamy and heated through

    Tap card to mark done
  6. 06

    Divide the cooked basmati rice and chickpea…

    Divide the cooked basmati rice and chickpea curry evenly between two bowls and serve warm.

    Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy

    Tap card to mark done

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