Chana Masala Recipe – Love and Lemons

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

This chana masala recipe is about to grow to be the star of your weeknight dinner rotation. It requires pantry substances. It cooks in a single pot. And although it comes collectively in simply over half-hour, a lot 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” that means chickpeas and “masala” that means spice. Variations of the dish, corresponding to Punjabi chole masala, are widespread all through India and Pakistan. Although these differ by way of preparation technique and precise substances, 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 sometimes contemporary tomato puree. Some variations characteristic amchur, or dried mango powder, for its distinctive tang, and lots of recipes name for complete spices like cardamom pods and cinnamon sticks so as to add warming taste.

I developed this recipe utilizing substances 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!

The right way to Make Chana Masala

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

Components

• Chickpeas, after all! I sometimes make this recipe with canned chickpeas as a result of they’re so darn handy. However in the event you 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 technique for the best way to cook dinner dried beans.
• Yellow onion – Chop it finely in order that it melds into the wealthy sauce.
• Garlic and contemporary ginger – As a substitute 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 no lengthy cook dinner time.
• Cumin seeds – The one complete spice I name for right here! You might substitute floor cumin, however the entire seeds add great depth of taste to this easy recipe.
• Floor spices – You’ll want coriander, turmeric, cardamom, and cayenne. I additionally name for garam masala, an fragrant Indian spice mix. You’ll find it on-line or within the spice part of many grocery shops.
• Canned complete peeled tomatoes and water – They create the tangy sauce.
• Additional-virgin olive oil – It provides richness.
• Cilantro – For contemporary taste. Combine some into the chana masala and sprinkle extra on prime.
• Recent lemon juice – For brightness.
• And sea salt – To make all of the flavors pop!

Discover the whole recipe with measurements beneath.

My Straightforward Methodology

To make this chana masala recipe, begin by sautéing the onion. Cook dinner till it’s tender 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 might additionally crush them together 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 great stir each jiffy to ensure 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 wish to prime mine with a dollop of Greek yogurt, although that is fully non-obligatory. 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, strive one in every of these simple chickpea recipes subsequent:

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