Black chana and palak curry is a delightful vegan dish inspired by traditional Indian flavours, featuring earthy black chickpeas (kala chana) and vibrant fresh spinach (palak). This dish originates from North India and is not only rich in flavour but also brimming with plant-based protein, iron, and fibre. It is the perfect comfort food for anyone looking to maintain a balanced vegan lifestyle.
Soak black chana in plenty of water (enough to submerge) for 8 hours or overnight. Once they’re ready, drain them and cook them in a pressure cooker with salt and enough water. Cook for about 3 to 4 whistles. Drain the water and keep it aside. If you’re using canned chana, just drain them and rinse thoroughly under running water.
Description - Step 2
Prepare the spinach
First, make sure to clean and rinse the spinach leaves thoroughly. Then, heat a pan and sauté the spinach with a teaspoon of oil until it wilts. After that, let it cool, and then blend it until smooth using a blender or hand mixer. Keep aside for later.
Description - Step 3
Prepare the masala base
Heat the remaining oil in a pan. Add in the cumin seeds and let them pop and crackle. Now, add the chopped onions and sauté them until they’re golden and translucent. Next, mix in the ginger paste, garlic paste, turmeric powder, chilli powder, and garam masala. Give everything a good stir.
Description - Step 4
Add the tomatoes
Stir in the chopped tomatoes and let them simmer until they’re soft and mushy, which should take around 4 to 5 minutes. Make sure to taste and adjust the salt if needed.
Description - Step 5
Combine spinach and chana
Mix the spinach puree into the tomato-onion masala and bring it to a gentle boil. Then, add the cooked chana and stir everything together nicely. Allow it to simmer for around 10 minutes, stirring now and then, until all the flavours come together perfectly.