My über favorite dish in the Indian cuisine repertoire is chana masala! I love love love chana masala! I don’t think I can express how much I love this dish…so, naturally, I have to make it myself so I don’t rely on restaurants all the time..better for the budget and better for the waistline. So after trying out several permutations of this dish to much displeasure, I called upon Jo for the recipe that could end the search.. And I think we’ve done quite a tasty job. This dish is quick and easy, a sure-fire solution for any “no time to cook night”!
Ingredients:
1 can chickpeas, or 1.5 C cooked fresh chickpeas
1 can tomato paste, 6 oz
1 can diced tomatoes, 15 oz
1 med onion, finely diced
3-5 cloves garlic
1 hot pepper
2 tsp coriander
2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cardamom
salt and pepper to taste
*optional spices: dash garam masala, 2 or 3 whole cloves
added at very beginning, up to 1 tsp cumin seeds or coriander
seeds at beginning, cayenne, 2 bay leaves
1 C water or broth
fresh cilantro – add about 2 TBSP during the simmering, about 5-10 minutes before it’s done; then add another 3 TBSP while it’s sitting for the 5-10 minutes; garnish with yet even more fresh cilantro
Directions:
1. Sauté onion, garlic and any seeds you’re using.
2. After a few minutes add hot pepper. When onion becomes translucent, add tomato paste and then slowly add diced tomatoes (with their juice) while stirring.
3. When all tomato stuff is in, add water/broth, chickpeas and spices.
4. Simmer 12 minutes. Let sit 5 to 10 minutes to thicken before serving. Serve with brown saffron rice or Indian-spiced green beans and some naan!
Yummy variations/additions: You could add in some diced potatoes (but be aware that will increase the timing of the dish, add them at the beginning with the onion and simmer for 25 minutes instead of 12), you could also add in some broccoli and/or peas for a vegetable masala. If you added a splash of coconut milk, you could turn it into a creamy masala.
Happy Cooking!
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I love Chana Masala too! Your recipe sounds scrumptious!
Chana Masala is one of my favorite dishes, but I’ve never been brave enough to attempt it at home. I will have to try this soon – I love the flavors and textures in this dish. Beautiful!
Wow, I just LOVE chana masala, so seeing this recipe made me so happy!
Chana masala is also one of my favourite Indian dishes! I need to try this out together with your naan recipe. (Which means I will add this to my one mile long list of things to try.)
Thanks Ladies!! Yeah, I could eat this dish at least once a week… I love Indian food so much – perhaps it’s that general love of spicy food (hence the predominance of Tex-mex recipes
)! I’m so glad Jo took me to that great little Indian joint (Balucchis) in NYC way back when…I’ve been hooked ever since!
I adore chana masala, but it does not adore me! If I was brave enough, I’d give your recipe a try! Looks delicious!
You know Jennifer..try it without the hot pepper and see if that works better for you..or go light on the turmeric. Those tend to be the two things that people most disagree with…maybe that’ll help?!
Hey, Sara –
Your chana masala looks delicious! Just posted a blurb about it on my site.
You’ve got some great links (love Matt and Nat!) I notice, though, that a bunch of your Indie Shopping section use leather and suede, wool, etc. in their bags and stuff…too bad, too, because they are awfully cute. Wish they’d use faux instead; I’d snap up an armful!
Thanks Laura!! You totally rock the Casbah for blurbing about the Chana Masala!!
Yeah, I love M&N too!! I know, unfortunately not all the products from the Indie designers are totally vegan – but they do have vegan options… I’m with you, I wish they’d use faux products too. If you’re in the market for a bag, Jo got a hobo from Kailo Chic and it’s perfect! The perfect size, it’s all fabric (no animal)…it’s super great!