Vegan Jamaican curry Bowl

Vegan Jamaican curry Bowl is basically Jamaican curry with red beans and sweet potatoes, coconut rice, and plantains to make a perfect Jamaican bowl. Jamaican Rice and peas are the staple dish in Jamaica. Since I am making the curry with the peas I made the plain coconut rice. The “Pea” meant is Jamaican rice is usually red kidney beans.

The vegan curry can be prepared with potatoes and beans. I used sweet potatoes and spinach here. This is such a flavorful curry with coconut milk and Jamaican curry powder. I usually stock up all spices in my pantry, so grinding my own curry powder was not that difficult. If you don’t have as many spices I would suggest you buy the Jamaican curry powder.

The Jamaican plantains are so easy and quick to prepare. Choose ripe plantain (not the regular bananas). The plantains are different from bananas they are usually big and fat. When this green plantain turns ripe they have black spots. Just sprinkle some salt and use it as a side with curry. If you sprinkle some sugar and caramelize it you can use it as a dessert as I did for rice pudding.

Food for the thought

“As she has planted, so does she harvest; such is the field of karma.”
– Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Benefits of the ingredients (source)

Red kidney beans are rich in protein and high in fiber and boost energy.
Coconut milk reduces inflammation and decreases stomach ulcer size.
Spinach is an extremely nutrient-rich vegetable. It packs high amounts of carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid, iron, and calcium.
Sweet potato is highly nutritious, promotes gut health, supports healthy vision.

Variations

• Beans You can use pigeon peas or white chickpeas too.
• Sweet potato Add normal potato.
• Spinach can be avoided.
• Tomatoes are optional
• Most curries are served with rice. If you want to have it as a soup discard rice and plantains.

Jamaican curry powder

The homemade powder has more flavor since it’s made fresh. If you don’t have stock of the spices in your pantry, buy them in stores. Gather all the spices, dry roast the spices to enhance the flavor. Once cooled grind to a fine powder and mix turmeric powder, dry ginger powder and store it. The spices are

• Whole cumin – 2 tsp
• Whole coriander seeds -2 tsp
• Peppercorns – 2 tsp
• Dried red chilly – 2
• Whole mustards – 1 tsp
• Fenugreek seeds – 1 tsp
• Allspice – 1 tsp
• Ground turmeric – 2 tbsp
• Ground ginger – 2 tbsp

Dry roast all the spices until the aroma rises leaving the ground turmeric and ginger. Cool and grind to a fine powder. Mix turmeric powder and dry ginger powder.

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What if I have all ground spices for Jamaican curry powder?

That works perfectly fine. If you have all ground spices mix well and store them in an airtight container.

What is coconut rice?

Rice cooked in coconut milk and water is coconut rice. Flavorful rice is usually cooked with beans and served with curry.
You can use normal cooked rice too. If preparing coconut rice, dilute coconut milk with water.

How to make my curry thicker?

Even though we add less water the curry does not come together. To make a thick gravy blend some beans or potatoes or both and add it to the gravy. Allow it to boil. You can mashed half of the potato or sweet potato and add in gravy.

Steps for making Vegan Jamaican Bowl

Step 1 Prepare the vegan Jamaican curry

If using canned beans, coconut milk, and tomatoes, then half of your work is done. If not, soak the red kidney beans overnight and cook the beans till soft. Chop the tomatoes, onions.
Use coconut oil for more flavor. Saute onions, garlic, tomatoes, add the Jamaican curry powder, water, beans, sweet potatoes, spinach, coconut milk, and boil in medium flame till the curry thickens. Your vegan Jamaican curry is ready to serve.

Step 2 Preparing coconut rice

This is an easy step, dilute coconut milk with water in an equal ratio. Boil the rice and water in a 1:2 ratio in medium flame until the rice is cooked.
Use any long grain rice or jasmine rice.

Step 3 Cooking plantains

Plantains and bananas are different. Pick a green plantain and allow it to ripen or buy the ripe one with black spots. Peel or use a knife to remove the skin of the plantain. Chop them and grill it on both sides, season with salt.

Other Bowl recipes

Buddha bowl
Korean Bibimbap bowl
Mexican tomato rice bowl
Chipotle burrito bowl
Sushi bowl