Channa Masala

Channa Masala is a very popular North Indian dish served with rice or roti or naan but the most popular is the Channa Batura when this is served with batura – Maida puri. It tastes best when served hot. It is made with Garbanzo beans and is a very simple recipe. There are many recipes for this channa masala and this is the one of the ways I make. If using the canned garbanzo beans, then no soaking or pressure cooking the beans is required and this is a big time saver.


Ingredients
Garbanzo Beans – 2 cups
Onion (chopped) – 1 cup
Tomato (chopped) – 1 cup
Green Chili – 4
Coriander Leaves – 1 table spoon
Ginger (grated) – 1 tea spoon
Garlic (minced) – 5 cloves
Cinnamon Stick – 1 inch
Cloves – 4
Bay Leaf – 1
Cardamom – 2
Cumin Seeds – ½ tea spoon
Fennel Seeds – ½ tea spoon
Turmeric Powder – ½ tea spoon
Channa Masala – 1 table spoon
Salt – 1 ½ tea spoon
Water – As needed
Ghee or butter – 2 table spoons
Cashew – 1 table spoon (optional)

Method
Soak the garbanzo beans for at least 8 hours
Wash and pressure cook the garbanzo beans until cooked well. It should not become mashed
Heat a pan and add oil or ghee and once hot, add cashew and sauté till golden color
Add bay leaves, cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, cloves, and fennel seeds and after 1 minute, add crushed cardamom and keep stirring and after 30 seconds, add green chili, ginger and garlic
Sauté till the garlic is well done and add onions and sauté till the onions are clear
Add the tomatoes and cook till the tomatoes are soft and then add turmeric powder, salt and channa masala
Add 1 cup water and allow this to boil. After 5 minutes of boiling, add the cooked channa and cook for another 3-5 minutes
Remove from heat and garnish with coriander and chopped onions
Channa masala is now ready to be served!!!