MAMA'S QUICK CHANNA MASALA
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: main course, entree
Cuisine: Indian
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
  • 1 cup Garbanzo beans/ chickpeas
  • 1 tbsp channa dal
  • 3 cups water
  • Salt, to taste
  • 1 black cardamom
  • 1 stick cinnamon
  • 1-2 tsp red chilli powder
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3-4 green chillies, finely chopped
  • 1 inch piece ginger, peeled and finely chopped
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp channa masala
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 2 tea bags
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp amchoor/lemon juice
  • ½ tsp tamarind concentrate (optional)
  • salt, to taste
Instructions
  1. Soak the chickpeas and channa dal overnight.
  2. In a pressure cooker, add the drained chickpeas. Also add in the tea bags, salt, cardamom, cinnamon stick, red chilli powder and bay leaf. (Since I didn't have tea bags, but only loose tea, I added the tea, cinnamon stick and cardamom in a muslin bag and put it in the pressure cooker.) Add the water and pressure cook till chickpeas are soft (In my cooker it takes 1 whistle on high, another whistle on medium and then I let cook on slow for 15-20 minutes). Remove from heat.
  3. Once the pressure drops, remove lid. If there is too much water put on high heat and reduce water level. There should only be a little water left in the cooker.
  4. Add the chopped onions, green chillies and ginger. Sprinkle coriander powder, chana masala, cumin powder. Mix.
  5. Separately, heat oil to smoking temperature. Now, the next step has to be done very quickly. Pour the smoking hot oil into the pressure cooker. Once you pour the oil, quickly close the pressure cooker with a lid. Then shake the container so that everything inside mixes well together. And voila! the dish is ready. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and lemon wedges. Serve with pooris and curd and enjoy each bite.
  6. Sometimes post the hot oil tempering addition, I like to give the cholle another whistle in the pressure cooker. It makes the flavor enhance a bit more.
Recipe by The Novice Housewife at https://novicehousewife.com/2010/11/22/mamas-quick-channa-masala/