Chana Masala Recipe – Love and Lemons

This chana masala recipe is a straightforward, wholesome one-pot meal! Heat spices, recent ginger, and cilantro add wealthy taste to the satisfying chickpea curry.

This chana masala recipe is about to develop into the star of your weeknight dinner rotation. It requires pantry elements. It cooks in a single pot. And although it comes collectively in simply over half-hour, many of the cooking time is palms off, so you may deal with the (minimal) cleanup because it simmers. Better of all, this simple chana masala is wholesome, flavorful, and tremendous satisfying.

About Chana Masala

Chana masala is a chickpea curry. Its title interprets actually to spiced chickpeas, “chana” which means chickpeas and “masala” which means spice. Variations of the dish, equivalent to Punjabi chole masala, are widespread all through India and Pakistan. Although these fluctuate by way of preparation methodology and precise elements, most characteristic a spiced tomato and onion sauce.

This recipe is my tackle the chana masala I’ve loved at Indian eating places within the US. I can’t name it completely conventional. Genuine chana masala makes use of dried chickpeas and infrequently recent tomato puree. Some variations characteristic amchur, or dried mango powder, for its distinctive tang, and lots of recipes name for entire spices like cardamom pods and cinnamon sticks so as to add warming taste.

I developed this recipe utilizing elements I generally hold in my pantry: canned chickpeas, canned tomatoes, and a handful of floor spices. I hope you take pleasure in it as a lot as I do!

Easy methods to Make Chana Masala

Right here’s what you’ll must make this chana masala recipe:

Substances

• Chickpeas, in fact! I sometimes make this recipe with canned chickpeas as a result of they’re so darn handy. However if you happen to like, you may cook dinner dried chickpeas from scratch. 1 cup dried will yield about 3 cups cooked. Put together them in response to this methodology for tips on how to cook dinner dried beans.
• Yellow onion – Chop it finely in order that it melds into the wealthy sauce.
• Garlic and recent ginger – As an alternative of chopping them with a knife, I grate them utilizing a Microplane zester. It provides them a high-quality, paste-like texture that helps them launch nice taste into the curry with out a lengthy cook dinner time.
• Cumin seeds – The one entire spice I name for right here! You might substitute floor cumin, however the entire seeds add fantastic depth of taste to this straightforward recipe.
• Floor spices – You’ll want coriander, turmeric, cardamom, and cayenne. I additionally name for garam masala, an fragrant Indian spice mix. You could find it on-line or within the spice part of many grocery shops.
• Canned entire peeled tomatoes and water – They create the tangy sauce.
• Additional-virgin olive oil – It provides richness.
• Cilantro – For recent taste. Combine some into the chana masala and sprinkle extra on prime.
• Contemporary lemon juice – For brightness.
• And sea salt – To make all of the flavors pop!

Discover the entire recipe with measurements beneath.

My Straightforward Technique

To make this chana masala recipe, begin by sautéing the onion. Cook dinner till it’s gentle and browned, round 8 minutes.

Subsequent, add the spices. Stir within the cumin seeds, garam masala, coriander, turmeric, cardamom, and cayenne. Cook dinner till aromatic, 30 seconds or so. Combine within the ginger, garlic, salt, and 1/4 cup of water.

Add the tomatoes and their juices. I like to interrupt aside the tomatoes with my palms as I add them, however you would additionally crush them along with your spatula or spoon as soon as they’re within the skillet. Stir to mix with the onion and spices. Carry the sauce to a simmer and cook dinner till it thickens, 8 to 10 minutes.

Then, add the chickpeas. Stir them into the tomato sauce together with the remaining 1/4 cup water. Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes extra, or till the curry is thick. Give it a very good stir each couple of minutes to verify it’s not sticking to the pan.

Lastly, season and serve! Stir within the lemon juice and cilantro and season to style.

Serve the chana masala with lemon wedges for squeezing and extra cilantro for garnish. I additionally prefer to prime mine with a dollop of Greek yogurt, although that is utterly optionally available. With out it, the recipe is vegan.

Pile the curry onto basmati rice for a gluten-free meal, or pair it with heat naan or roti. All are scrumptious!

Extra Favourite Chickpea Recipes

If you happen to love this chana masala, attempt certainly one of these simple chickpea recipes subsequent:

Chana Masala

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook dinner Time: 40 minutes minutes

Complete Time: 55 minutes minutes

Serves 4

This simple chana masala recipe is a wholesome, satisfying vegan meal! Serve the flavorful chickpea curry over rice or scoop it up with heat naan.

Cook dinner ModeForestall your display from going darkish

• Warmth the olive oil in a big skillet over medium warmth. Add the onion and cook dinner for 8 minutes, stirring typically, or till gentle and properly browned.

• Scale back the warmth to medium-low and add the cumin seeds, garam masala, coriander, turmeric, cardamom, and a pinch of cayenne. Stir and cook dinner for 30 seconds, or till aromatic. Stir within the garlic, ginger, salt, and ¼ cup of the water.

• Add the tomatoes, breaking them aside along with your palms as you add them or crushing them with a picket spoon within the skillet. Carry to a simmer and cook dinner for 8 to 10 minutes, or till the sauce thickens. Add the chickpeas and the remaining ¼ cup water, stir, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring often, or till thick. Stir within the cilantro and lemon juice.

• Serve over rice with dollops of Greek yogurt, extra cilantro, and extra lemon juice, if desired.

Sources: Cook dinner with Manali, Swasthi’s Recipes, Zainab Shah, Indian-ish by Priya Krishna, and Sarah DiGregorio