Monday, January 21, 2013

Channa Masala / Chickpeas or Garbanzo beans in a rich tomato gravy




Chickpeas are really delicious and nutritious as they are rich in protein.I often wondered how they absorb so much water when soaked.They look really tough,yet they absorb water like a sponge.Guess that's what makes this beans extra special.

Boiled chickpeas and fresh veggies make an awesome salad.People who wanna watch their weight can have this salad once a week to have a delicious yet healthy meal.In this recipe, chickpeas are boiled and immersed in a rich tomato gravy with all the exotic spices.

This gravy is often used as a side dish for Roti , Naan or even a cup of hot rice.While making this gravy makes it a bit watery.If you make a very thick gravy,the chickpeas tends to absorb more and more gravy and after a few mins the gravy reduces.Make sure you adjust water and heavy cream to retain the amount of gravy.




Ingredients 
  • Chickpeas or Garbanzo beans- 1 cup
  • water - 4 cups
  • Onion - 3 large
  • Tomatoes - 2 large
  • Ginger - a small piece and Garlic -6-7 cloves  / Ginger garlic paste - 1 tblsp
  • Salt
  • Butter- 5 tblsp
  • Red chili powder - 2 tsp
  • Coriander powder - 1 tsp
  • Garam masala - 2 tsp
  • Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Sugar -a pinch
  • Cilantro - a few leaves 
  • Heavy Cream - 4 tblsp 
  • Dried Fenugreek leaves - a pinch 

Method:

Wash,rinse and soak Chickpeas overnight or atleast 8 hrs in lots of water until they are well immersed.  They double in size.

Drain excess water and keep aside.In a pressure cooker, add the chickpeas , salt and 4 cups of  water.Make sure they are well immersed .Pressure cook for 6- 7 whistles.If you are using a pan to cook it,cook till they are tender by checking in intervals.Drain the chickpeas and keep aside.

Chop the onions into small pieces.Finely mince the garlic and ginger and grind them to a fine paste or simply use the ginger-garlic paste.Cook the tomatoes in water for 5 mins and remove their skins.In a blender, add the tomatoes and make the puree.

In a skillet pan, melt the butter.Add the onions,salt,ginger garlic paste and saute them for 5 mins.Add garam masala,red chili powder,cumin powder,coriander powder,sugar ,salt and mix well.cook for 2-3 mins until the raw smell of the masala goes.



Now add the tomato puree.Add some water.Mix well and simmer for 5 mins.




Add the cooked chickpeas into the gravy.Let it simmer for 10 - 15 mins so that the chickpeas absorbs well.Adjust the salt and water.



Add the heavy cream , dried fenugreek leaves and finely chopped cilantro.Mix well and serve hot.

Channa masala goes well with Roti,Naan or even a hot cup of rice.



39 comments:

  1. I love any chana dal preparation, this one is very tempting!

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  2. OMG I just feel like grabbing the bowl and munching on...masala is so tempting...

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  3. Adding kasturi methi to chana masala is new lavy, but it is yumm.

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  4. such a rich creamy channa masala i love it!

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  5. Lovely Pics. The chanas look very tempting

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  6. first time here...
    channa masala looks delicious and very tempting :)
    glad to follow u :)

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  7. so spicy and yummy looking chana masala...inviting clicks!

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  8. Love this with poori..Looks so tempting dear..Nice clicks too :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Divya.Ya, Poori makes a great combo with chana :)

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  9. This looks yummy. Come and participate in my event -Month of love- 2giveaways
    http://www.merrytummy.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/event-hosting-and-2-giveways-walk.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Shweta :)Sure would love to participate in your event.

      Delete
  10. Chana masala looking very delicious. First time here happy to follow you.

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  11. Hi Laavy,

    With roti, your channa masala seems so perfect to eat... Yum!

    Your blog is fantastic with all your concise cooking instructions and professional photographs. Like you at facebook! And, I'm also now your latest follower.

    Hope to hear from you :D

    Zoe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks a lot Zoe . I really appreciate all your lovely comments.You have an amazing blog and I am happy to follow you too :)

      Delete
  12. Hi,
    First time in your space....Happy to follow you....You have lovely blog with delicious
    recipes and nice clicks...
    http://welcometomyrasoi.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  13. Superb recipe... yummy nd delicious

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  14. how to fresh cream for channa masala to make it creamy

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    Replies
    1. You can get fresh cream,heavy cream or half and half from grocery stores.Just add them to the dish lastly and mix them well to come to a medium boil.This adds creaminess to the gravy :)

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  15. Can I add a pinch of turmeric to get the nice color?

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