CHANA MASALA RECIPE

     Chana Masala/Chole Masala is a popular dish from Punjabi Cuisine.  It is usually called along with its counterpart Batura - 'Chole Bature'. White Chana/Kabuli Chana/Chick Peas are colloquially called 'Chole'.  This Spicy dish goes well with Batura a fluffy deep fried Indian bread. Chana Masala is a dish rich with Proteins and has a wonderful combination of flavours and tastes. Freshly ground spices add more flavour to the dish. It is prepared with White Chick Peas otherwise called as Kabuli Channa, which is a good source of Protein and Carbohydrate.  It is also rich in Cholesterol lowering fibre and totally a fat-free food.
     I usually prepare Channa Masala along with Batura, which is Chef Damodar's recipe. I have been preparing this recipe for more than 12 years since I watched it on a TV cooking show.  This Chana Masala recipe was combined with Batura recipe in the show. The curry goes well not only with Batura, but also it suits along with Rotis, Chapatis and Dosa too.  At home, we all prefer a gravy version of curries for Rotis. So at times for a change, I prepare Punjabi Chole/Amristari Chole along with Baturas, which is a dry version.
    Soaked and cooked White Chick Peas are added to well sauteed Masala Mix and the addition of Chana Masala Powder, Chaat Masala and Black Salt adds an extra zing to the curry. This Chana Masala recipe with freshly ground spices and flavour enhancers caters a perfect balance of tastes. This curry is equally spicy with a note of tanginess and sweetness in it.  Chana Masala goes well with Tandoori Rotis, Chapatis, Parotta, Kulchas, Parathas, Pooris, Baturas and Naans.  Also, it can be served along with Pulaos, Jeera Rice or steamed Basmati Rice.


Cuisine - North Indian
Course - Side Dish
Difficulty - Medium
Serves - 3-4
Author - SM


Soaking Time - 8-10 Hours/Overnight
Preparation Time - 15-20 Minutes
Cooking Time - 20 - 30 Minutes

HOW TO COOK CHANA MASALA RECIPE

CHANA MASALA RECIPE

INGREDIENTS :

White Chick Peas/White Chana/Kabuli Chana - 1 Cup
Onions - 2 Nos(Big)
Tomatoes - 2 Nos(Big)
Green Chillies - 4-5 Nos.
Ginger-Garlic Paste - 2 Tspn
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 Tspn
Red Chilli Powder - 2-3 Tspn
Coriander Powder - 3 Tspn
Chat Masala Powder - 1 Tspn
Chana/Chole Masala Powder - 1 Tspn
Curd/Yoghurt - 1/2 Cup
Tamarind Paste - 1/2 Tspn(Optional)
Oil - 2-3 Tbspn
Salt - To Taste
Black Salt - a Pinch (Optional)
Sugar - 2 Tspn(Optional)

Spices :

Cinnamon 1" Stick - 2 Nos.
Cloves - 3-4 Nos.
Cardamoms - 3 Pods
Star Anise -1 Flower

To Garnish :

Coriander Leaves - few

Serving Suggestion :

Finely Sliced Onions
A Drizzle of Lemon Juice

CHANA MASALA RECIPE

METHOD :

To Soak & Cook White Chick Peas/Chana :

• Clean, Wash and Soak White Chick Peas/Chana Overnight or for at least 8-10 hours.
• Alternatively can soak the White Chick Peas/Chana in Boiling Water for 3-5 Hours.
• Once soaked, drain the water used for soaking.
• Add 3 Cups of Water to the White Chick Peas/Chana & Pressure cook.
• Pressure cook on high flame for 2 Whistles, reduce the flame and cook for other 4-5 whistles.
• Adjust the cooking time to suit your cooking preference.

For White Chick Peas/Chana Masala :

• Grind Onions to a fine paste and keep it aside.
• Puree the Tomatoes and keep it aside.
• Heat Oil in a pan, splutter the spices mentioned under ' Spices' on a low flame until fragrant.
• Add Onion paste to the spluttered spices and saute it on a low flame until the raw flavour goes.
• Add Green Chillies and Ginger-Garlic Paste to the above and saute it on a low flame for few minutes.
• Pour in the Tomato Puree and cook for few minutes.
• Add Turmeric Powder, Red Chilli Powder, Coriander Powder and give a quick stir.
• Add Chaat Masala & Chana Masala powders to the above and mix well.
• Fry the above Masalas on a low flame and saute them until oil separates from the mix.
• Pour in the Curd/Yoghurt and mix well.
• Add the cooked White Chana to the Masala along with Salt and cook on a low flame for few minutes.
• Add Tamarind Paste to the Chana Masala and mix well.
• Cook this until Chana Masala reaches the desired consistency.
• Finally, sprinkle Black Salt and Sugar to the Chana Masala and give a quick stir.
• Garnish Chana Masala with finely chopped Coriander Leaves.
• Serve Chana Masala along with Batura, Puri, Parotta, Chapati, Paratha, Naan, Kulcha or any other Indian Bread of your choice.
• Goes well with rice dishes like Pulaos, Jeera Rice and steamed Basmati Rice too.
• Can Serve Chana Masala with Raw Onion Slices and with a drizzle of Lemon Juice.

For detailed recipe on how to make Channa/Chole Masala Powder, Click here ...

NOTES :

• Adjust the amount of spices to suit your taste preference.
• Can substitute Tamarind with Aamchur Powder.
• Adding Tamarind, Black Salt & Sugar to this Chana Masala Recipe is purely optional.
• For Cooking Tips for Beans, Lentils & Pulses, Click here...