Chloe’s spinach, potato and pea curry

I like coming to Q Gardens, a community garden in Rochdale, Manchester, because I learn more about different plants and vegetables. It has a great vibe, which is very calming; I also like finding out about all the different food and meals I can make using the plants we grow.

1 hour
4-6 people

Ingredients

  • 120ml sunflower oil
  • 1 tsp black mustard seeds
  • 2 brown onions, peeled and finely chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves, peeled and minced, or 6 tsp garlic paste
  • 3cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated, or 3 tsp ginger paste
  • 1 chili
  • 200g tomatoes, chopped, or 200g tinned chopped tomatoes
  • 1½ tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp ground coriander
  • ½ tsp ground turmeric
  • 450g new potatoes, halved and cut into 1½ cm-thick slices
  • 1kg chopped whole leaf spinach

Method

  • Pour the oil into a large, deep pan over a medium heat until very hot, then tip in the mustard seeds, and leave to fizz and crackle for up to a minute.
  • Add the onion, cook for eight minutes, until soft and golden.
  • Add the garlic, ginger and chili, and cook, stirring for about three minutes.
  • Stir in the tomatoes, ground spices and salt, and cook for about five minutes, until you can see the oil separate from the tomato mixture.
  • Add the chopped potatoes, spinach and 200ml of just-boiled water, put the lid on and leave to cook for 15 minutes, stirring every five minutes.
  • Remove the lid and cook for a further 15-20 minutes, until the liquid has gone and you are left with a thick curry.
  • Top with coriander leaves and serve with naan bread.

RHS Big Food Share partners

The RHS is working with the Socially Engaged Photography Network to encourage and upskill communities in creative storytelling, through regional projects that follow the stories of local groups throughout the growing year and their experiences, motivations and activities.

Plot2Plate is a community initiative to help people in Rochdale grow their own food. The cost of living crisis has led to many people experiencing increased financial pressure, so the RHS is working with local communities across Rochdale to help them grow their own food in front gardens, allotments, community spaces and backyards.

Socially Engaged Photographer in Residence Gwen Riley Jones has been collaborating with growers across the borough to collect their growing stories to share what it means to them.

Photographs by Gwen Riley Jones

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