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Chana Masala

Chana Masala (Chickpeas)

326kcal
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Prep 10 minutes
Cook 30 minutes
Total 40 minutes
Chana Masala is a classic North Indian chickpea curry made with tender chickpeas simmered in a fragrant onion-tomato gravy and warm spices. This comforting dish is easy to prepare with canned chickpeas and pairs perfectly with rice, roti, naan, or fried breads like bhatura and puri.
Servings 4 portions
Course Entree
Cuisine Indian

Ingredients

  • 2 lb Canned Chickpeas.
  • 3 tbsp Olive Oil
Whole Spices
  • 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
  • 1 Black Cardamom
  • 1-2 Cloves
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 1 inch Cinnamon
  • 1 Star Anise optional if you’ve added the other spices; I like to add this spice since it’s pretty
  • 1 cup Onions Diced
  • 1 tbsp Ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 cup Tomatoes Diced/crushed/pureed
Powdered Spices
  • 1 tsp Coriander Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder
  • 1 tsp Garam Masala
  • 1 tsp Dry Mango Powder Amchur
  • 1/4 tsp Dried Fenugreek Leaves Kasuri Methi

Method

Preparation
  1. Empty the can and drain the liquid out using a strainer. Run water through the strainer to wash away any remaining liquid from the chickpeas.
Cooking
  1. Add the oil to a non-stick pan at medium heat and when it is hot add the cumin seeds, black cardamom and star anise.
  2. When the cumin seeds start to sizzle, add the onions, mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes, add the ginger-garlic paste and continue cooking until the onions start to turn brown (another 5-6 minutes).
  3. When the onions turn brown add the tomatoes, mix well and continue cooking on medium heat, until the tomatoes are cooked.
    4. How to tell if tomatoes cooked: If you’re using tomato puree or crushed tomatoes, the oil will start to separate from the mixture. With diced fresh tomatoes, they will break down and lose their shape, becoming soft and mushy.
  4. After about 5 minutes when the tomatoes seem to be cooked, add the chickpeas, coriander powder, red chili powder and mix well.
  5. Add the dry mango powder and dried fenugreek leaves, and mix well.
  6. Gently mash some of the chickpeas with the edge of your spatula.
    7. This thickens the sauce and makes every spoonful even more flavorful and satisfying.
  7. Add the garam masala powder and mix well.

Nutrition

Serving1 portionCalories326kcalCarbohydrates37gProtein12gFat15gSaturated Fat2gPolyunsaturated Fat3gMonounsaturated Fat9gSodium641mgPotassium500mgFiber12gSugar3gVitamin A426IUVitamin C9mgCalcium106mgIron4mg

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