Chana Masala

சென்னா மசாலா (Chana Masala)

Chana masala also known as chole masala is a dish originating from the Indian subcontinent. The main ingredient is a variety of chickpea called channa or kala channa, garam masala, onion, tomatoes and ginger garlic paste. This channa masala is my son’s favorite. This recipe is a good combination for Bread, Chapathi, Battura. During my college days every Monday I enjoyed Bread with Channa masala in hostel.

Ingredients for Chana Masala

Chana – 1 cup

For Masala Powder

Cumin seeds – 1/4 cup
Coriander seeds – 1/4 cup
Pepper – 2 tsp
Clove – 1 tsp
Cardamom – 2
Cinnamon – 2 inch piece
Mace/ Javitri – 1 piece
Fennel seeds – 1 tsp
Caraway seeds – 1 tsp
Dry red chilli – 10
Aamchur powder – 2 tbs
Kasturi methi – 2 tbs
Turmeric – 1 tsp

For Gravy

Channa masala – 1 tbs
Butter – 2 tbs
Cardamom – 3
Bay leaf – 1
Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
Onion – 1 finely chopped
Green chilli – 1 (slit)
Ginger garlic paste – 1 tsp
Tomato purée – 2 cup
Cilantro – 2 tbs
Salt as needed

Directions

Prepare Masala

Add all the channa masala ingredients except Kasturi methi and dry red chili in a pan.
Sauté the ingredients then add the dry red chilli and sauté for a minute.
Now, add the sautéd ingredients in a jar and grind a little.
Finally add the Kasturi methi and grind into fine powder.
Channa masala powder ready.

Pressure cook Chana

Soak the channa overnight.
Pressure cooker the channa for 15 minutes with salt.

Pressure Gravy

Heat a pan in medium flame and add butter.
Once butter melts, add cumin seeds.
Give a mix and add green chilli, cardamom and bay leaf.
Saute them for a minute and add chopped onion, ginger garlic paste.
Add the channa masala, salt and sauté again until onion turns brown.
Pour the tomato puree and close the pan then cook in full flame.
Cook the gravy until all the liquid evaporates.
Now add the cooked channa into the gravy.
Mash the channa partially.
Cover and cook for 2 minutes in full flame.
Reduce the flame into low and keep cooking for another two minutes.
Switch off the flame and drizzle chopped cilantro.
Chana masala ready.
Serve the channa masala with Chapathi/ Bread / Battura.