Description
Saurabh’s easy chana masala recipe combines North Indian spices with chickpeas for a hearty vegetarian meal. Aromatic and flavorful, this dish connects you with traditional Indian cuisine in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 large tomatoes, blended into puree
- 1.5–2 cups tomato puree
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsps ghee
- 1 red onion, finely chopped
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 inches fresh ginger, grated
- 2 cardamom pods
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp curry powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Heavy cream (optional)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lemon juice
- Red onion slices
Instructions
- Tomato Preparation: Steam tomatoes until tender, remove skins, chop coarsely, and blend into a smooth puree.
- Aromatic Base: Heat ghee in a large pan, sauté onions until golden. Add cardamom pods, bay leaf, garlic, and ginger, allowing spices to release their complex fragrance.
- Spice Infusion: Incorporate ground coriander, garam masala, chili powder, paprika, curry powder, cumin, and turmeric. Toast spices for 2 minutes to intensify their flavor profile.
- Simmering Process: Pour tomato puree into the spiced base, season with salt and pepper. Fold in chickpeas, add water, and simmer covered for 25-35 minutes until chickpeas become tender and absorb the rich spices.
- Final Touches: Partially mash chickpeas to thicken the sauce, stir in heavy cream for a milder heat. Garnish with fresh cilantro, lemon juice, and red onion slivers. Serve alongside paratha, naan, or basmati rice.
Notes
- Tomato Technique: Steam and remove tomato skins for a smoother, more refined puree that blends seamlessly into the sauce.
- Spice Toasting Trick: Briefly toast ground spices to unlock deeper, more intense flavor profiles and prevent raw, bitter undertones.
- Chickpea Texture Hack: Partially mash some chickpeas to create a naturally thicker, more luxurious sauce with complex consistency.
- Cream Balance Method: Add a touch of heavy cream to soften the spice intensity and create a richer, more velvety final dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 10mg