Creating a blog was out of the question for a long time for me, as measuring everything in the kitchen was like biting into an eggshell. I enjoy cooking and don’t want to waste even a slightest bit of enjoyment in that small world of mine. But little did I know that everything will change, when my husband came home with the Oscar nominated film ‘Julie and Julia’( a real life story) where Julie Powell (part played by Amy Adams) challenged herself to make all the 524 recipes from Julia Child's cook book ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’ and blogging all her experiences (The Julie/Julia Project). It was an inspiring movie. A few days later when we were discussing this casually with a friend of ours over tea…everything changed dramatically…..” How about you making at least half of it in one year? Not French but your own. 262 recipes that will inspire others and present it as a blog?” For a minute my mind traveled faster than light… With an experience as a helper in my mother in laws kitchen for 6 years followed by a three year everyday struggle to satisfy the palate of my foodie husband, if I cannot do it then why should I cook? But on the other side with an experience in English literature extending no more than expanding outline stories in English grammar class when I was 18 and two small kids that come in handy at times, will a commitment for the next one year work? Anyway my ‘cook's ego’ didn’t allow me to say no...

So my friends …here I am opening my recipe book, trying to perfect and present 262 recipes in the coming 365 days….A Challenge that will of course tastes good. Come.. Have a walk with me along my journey.. Cheering and inspiring….Forgiving and tolerating…Testing and tasting….for ‘A Tasty Challenge’

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Monday, July 26, 2010

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…

    6 comments:

    Indian Khana said...

    Yummy platter, puri n channa masala...perfect combo

    My Kitchen Antics said...

    whatever i do my channa masala never comes out right..i wonder why..i shall give ur recipe a go next time

    Liz said...

    My channa masala is quite a popular dish in my family, but I hadn't included methi yet. Made your version yesterday. Everyone liked it; my hubby says he likes this version better. Thanks!
    Also, I assume the amount of chaat masala is 1/2 tsp? (1/2 tsp looks good enough to me)

    Asha said...

    Yes you are correct...and sorry about the mistake...

    All Things Said & Unsaid said...

    tried it..
    yummy!!!

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