Channa Masala

Recipe No: 67

‘Channa’ or Chick Peas or Garbanzo is a protein rich source for vegetarians. This is a delightful side dish for Poori and Battura. Two very unusual ingredients in this preparation are Chaat Masala and Kasoori Methi. Apart from Poori and Battura, it goes well with Puttu and Uppuma.

Ingredients                                        Serves 8-10 adults

To Pressure Cook

• Whole dry Chick Peas…......2 Cups (Soak at least 8 hours, overnight is the best)
• Turmeric Powder………......1/2 Teaspoon
• Salt…………………………….....1 Teaspoon

To Saute

• Oil……………………………......….2 Tablespoons
• Onion chopped……………........2 Cups
• Ginger-Garlic Paste…….........1 ½ Tablespoons
• Curry Leaves……………….......2-3 sprigs
• Red Chilly Powder………........1 Tablespoon
• Coriander Powder………........2 ½ Tablespoons
• Turmeric Powder………........1/2 Teaspoon
• Garam Masala Powder…......1 Teaspoon
• Chaat Masala Powder…........1/2Teaspoon
• Kasoori Methi……………….....1 Teaspoon
• Tomato Roughly Chopped…1 Cup
• Chopped Coriander Leaves…3 Tablespoons

Method of Preparation

1. Pressure cook soaked Channa, Turmeric Powder, Salt and 3 cups of water (or water needed to cook the Channa) till the Channa is soft but not mushy.  (In my Cooker it takes around 20 minutes after the first whistle.) Keep aside.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of Oil in a pan and saute chopped Onion and Curry leaves till it starts to brown on the edges.
3. Add Ginger-Garlic paste and saute till everything is brown in color.
4. Add Chilly Powder, Coriander powder. Turmeric Powder, Garam Masala Powder and Chaat Masala Powder and saute till the raw smell is gone.
5. Add chopped Tomato and saute till it is really mashed.
6. Add the cooked Channa together with the remaining liquid (Add more water if needed) and mix well. Close the pan, reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for 20 minutes or till the Channa absorb all the flavors and the gravy is reduced to the desired consistency. Add salt if needed.
7. Take Kasoori methi in your palm and crush it with the other palm and add.
8. Mix in the chopped Coriander leaves and switch off the flame. Serve hot.

Notes:

• Instead of using dry Channa, you can use 3 cans of Chick Peas/ Grabanzo Beans. This will save time as it is previously cooked.

Make it, enjoy the deliciousness and
serve it to your family with love…