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 Punjabi Chana Masala Recipe
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Punjabi
Chana Masala
: Authentic Chickpea Curry

56 mins
Cooking Time
Intermediate
Difficulty
20
Ingredients
Veg
Diet
Chana Masala, also sometimes spelt as Channa Masala, is a classic from Punjabi cuisine and a popular dish across North Indian cuisine. As one of the well-known regional recipes, it features chickpeas cooked in a spiced onion and tomato base. The rich flavour comes from slowly cooking the masala until it deepens in colour. This recipe uses a simple ingredients list and can be paired with rice, roti, or bhature, making it a versatile choice for both everyday meals and special occasions.

Ingredients

UNITSIngredients
250 gDried chickpeas
2 largeOnions
3 largeTomatoes
1 tbspGinger-garlic paste
2Green chillies
1 tspCumin seeds
1 smallBay leaf
1 inch pieceCinnamon
2Cloves
2Green cardamom pods
1 ½ tspKashmiri red chilli powder
2 tspCoriander powde
1 tspGaram masala
¼ tspTurmeric powder
¼ tspAmchur (dried mango) powde
1 tspKasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
¾ tspSalt
2 tbspOil
1 ½ cupsWater
2 tbspCoriander leaves

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Follow
Directions

Description - Step 1

Soak And Cook Chickpeas

Rinse the dried chickpeas and soak them in plenty of water overnight or for 8-10 hours. Drain, rinse again, and cook with fresh water in a pressure cooker for 3-4 whistles or until very tender. If cooking in a regular pot, it may take 45-60 minutes.

Description - Step 2

Sauté Whole Spices

 

Heat oil in a large kadai or pan. Add cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. Sauté for a minute until they sizzle and turn fragrant.

Description - Step 3

Cook Onions And Chillies

 

Add finely chopped onions and slit green chillies. Sauté on medium heat until the onions turn golden brown and soft.

Description - Step 4

Add Ginger-Garlic Paste

Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1-2 minutes more until the raw smell disappears.

Description - Step 5

Cook Tomatoes

Add the finely chopped tomatoes. Cook on medium heat, stirring often, until the tomatoes break down into a thick pulp and the oil begins to separate from the masala. This step ensures the base is well-cooked and full of flavour.

Description - Step 6

Add Spice Powders

 

Reduce heat to low. Stir in the Kashmiri red chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala, turmeric, and optional amchur and kasuri methi. Sauté for a minute until fragrant.

Description - Step 7

Simmer Chickpeas In Masala

Add the cooked chickpeas to the masala along with salt and 1 cup of water. Mix well, cover and simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes. If the gravy is too thick, add a little more water.

Description - Step 8

Adjust Consistency

 

Check seasoning and add more salt if needed. Mash a few chickpeas with the back of a spoon to thicken the gravy to your desired consistency. Simmer uncovered for 2-3 minutes more.

Description - Step 9

Garnish and Serve

Turn off the heat. Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves. Serve Chana Masala hot with rice, roti, naan or puri.

Step 1
Soak And Cook Chickpeas
10 minutes
Step 2
Sauté Whole Spices
3 minutes
Step 3
Cook Onions And Chillies
8 minutes
Step 4
Add Ginger-Garlic Paste
2 minutes
Step 5
Cook Tomatoes
10 minutes
Step 6
Add Spice Powders
2 minutes
Step 7
Simmer Chickpeas In Masala
15 minutes
Step 8
Adjust Consistency
5 minutes
Step 9
Garnish and Serve
1 minutes

Plate it up!

Plating

plating-image

Spoon the hot Chana Masala into a deep serving bowl or individual plates. Make sure each portion has plenty of gravy along with the chickpeas. Alternatively, you can serve it in a warm, rustic clay pot for a traditional touch, or even wrap it in a soft roti to make a hearty, handheld meal.

 

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Pairing

pairing-image

Serve with piping hot puris, bhatura, naan, or roti on the side. Alternatively, pair it with cumin rice or jeera pulao for a hearty meal. For a lighter option, serve alongside a fresh salad of cucumber and tomatoes, or complement the spices with yoghurt or raita. To cool down the heat, enjoy it with either sweet lassi or salted lassi. Another popular pairing is chaas (buttermilk), which aids digestion. For a refreshing touch, you can also serve it with a tangy glass of lemon sherbet or mint lemonade.

... Read More

Garnishing

garnishing-image

Sprinkle finely chopped coriander leaves generously on top for a pop of fresh flavour and colour. For a restaurant-style finish, top with some finely chopped onions and a dash of chaat masala. You can also garnish with julienned ginger for a subtle zing, or add a few fried curry leaves for an aromatic touch that enhances the overall flavour

 

... Read More

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