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Chana Madra

Chana Madra

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Himachali Chana Madra, a bowl
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Srishti Magan
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Srishti Magan
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Chana Recipe: Himachali
Chana Madra
, A Traditional, Festive Dish

530 mins
Cooking Time
Easy
Difficulty
18
Ingredients
Veg
Diet
India is a land of diverse tastes, where the same dish, core ingredient or even dish can have multiple variations across regions. Like this chana recipe for Himachali chana madra. Madra is a thick, yoghurt-based gravy that’s quite popular in the Chamba and Kangra districts of Himachal Pradesh. The dish includes boiled chickpeas cooked in a yoghurt-based, aromatic curry that draws on the flavour and aroma of whole spices like cinnamon, peppercorns, cloves, etc. Typically, this chana recipe is prepared as part of the Himachali dham meal. Dham is a traditional, multi-course vegetarian feast served in Himachal Pradesh during weddings, festivals, and special occasions. The chana madra is served with boiled rice, other curries, lentils, and a dessert. For the dham, the focus is on slow-cooking, without onion or garlic, to prepare a nutritious yet rich dish. It’s easy to recreate this regional chana recipe at home because it employs ingredients that are readily available and techniques that are simple to follow, even for novice cooks. However, be careful not to let the curd curdle. To prevent this, add the curd slowly, keep a careful eye on the pan and cook on low heat. After all, it’s the addition of yoghurt that lends the dish a creamy base. So gather the ingredients and give this festive curry a try!

Ingredients

UNITSIngredients
2 cupsChana/White Chickpeas, soaked overnight and boiled
2-3 tbspMustard oil
2-3Cloves
¼ tspHing
1 inchCinnamon stick
3-4Black Peppercorns
1 tspCumin
¾ tspGaram masala
1 tbspCoriander powder
1 tspFennel powder
½ tspTurmeric
½ tspRed chilli powder
to tasteSalt
2Green chillies
1½ -2 cupsHung Curd/Greek Yoghurt, beaten till smooth
1 tbspRice flour
as neededWater
1 tbspGhee

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Directions

Description - Step 1

Prep the ingredients

Firstly, add the black cardamom, peppercorns, and cloves to a grinder. Grind them into a granulated mix, and not a fine powder. Also, mix rice flour and water in a bowl. Keep it aside. Also, keep the boiled chickpeas in a bowl.

Step 1
Prep the ingredients
5 Minutes
Step 2
Make the masala base
3-5 Minutes
Step 3
Cook the chickpeas
5-7 Minutes
Step 4
Add the yoghurt
10-12 Minutes

FAQs

Most chana recipes, including this one, require the chickpeas to be soaked for at least 8–10 hours or overnight. Soaking leads to a softer texture, significantly speeds up cooking time, and ensures even cooking. It also makes them easier to digest by reducing phytic acid and complex sugars that cause gas.