Punjabi Style Chana Masala Recipe - Easy Chickpea Recipe

This chana masala recipe has become my signature recipe over the years. 

At functions where I have to cook something, my family members hand me with the chana and demand this very same chana masala recipe to be made. 

Personally, it is also one of my favourite recipes to cook.  

So, today, I am sharing this amazing chana masala recipe for you all to enjoy and experience its amazing flavors. 

Ingredients:

1. Chana (Chickpea) : 250 gms

2. Oil

3. Onions: 4 (2 for puree, 2 for deep fry: thinly     sliced) big sized

4. Tomatoes: 100 gms, puree

5. Garam Masala: 1 teaspoon

6. Cumin Seeds: 1/2 teaspoon

7. Coriander Powder: 1 and half teaspoon

8. Cumin Powder: 1 teaspoon 

9. Ginger and Garlic Paste: 1 teaspoon each 

10.Turmeric Powder

11. Chilli Powder: as per taste 

12. Ghee (optional): 1 tablespoon

13. Salt: as per taste

14. Coriander Leaves

Method

Step 1:

Start off this chana masala recipe by washing the chana first and soaking it overnight. If you are short on time, soak it in hot water for 3-4 hours. 

Step 2:

Heat the oil in a pressure cooker and add the 2 thinly sliced onions and deep fry until the onions are light golden brown. After this, take the onions out and put in a bowl with tissue papers. Now, keep this aside. 

Step 3:

If you have excess oil in the cooker left from the deep fry, take out some of the oil and make sure you now only have about 2-3 tablespoon of oil remaining in the cooker. 

Keep the gas on medium flame. Add some cumin seeds and after it starts to sizzle add some onion puree and mix it until it turns light brown. 

Step 4:

Add ginger and garlic paste and mix it for a minute. Then, add coriander, cumin, turmeric and chilli powder with salt as per taste. Mix everything then add the tomato puree and cook it for a minute. 

Step 5:

Now add the chana and occasionally stir it for 1-2 minutes. Pour 1 and half cup of warm water and cover the lid and cook everything for 6-7 whistles on medium flame. 

Step 6:

Now, while the chana is cooking, take the deep fried onions (from step 2) and mix it in the grinder adding a little bit of water, to turn it into a puree. 

Step 7:

After all the whistles go off, open the lid and check whether your chana is cooked or not. If it is cooked, mix everything once, then according to your preference for the gravy, pour in some water. 

Then add the deep fried onion puree, mix it once then sprinkle the garam masala along with some fresh coriander leaves.

Step 8:

Finally pour the ghee over the chana masala  and cover the lid and boil everything for a minute. 

Your chana masala recipe is now ready. 

Pour the chana masala into a bowl and garnish with some onions and coriander leaves. 

Enjoy this chana masala recipe with paratha, rice and even chapatis. 

Bonus Tips:

1. Ghee is optional. Though if you add in some ghee, it will add that indian style aroma to the food. 

2. When you are deep frying the onions, make sure you do not burn it and fry it just until the onions are light golden. Burnt onion will give a pungent smell to the chana. 

If you like this chana masala recipe, you might even like these amazing vegetarian recipes:

CREAMY BUTTER TOFU CURRY RECIPE: TOFU WITH A TWIST

MOONG DAL RECIPE WITH OKRA

Thank you for trying this chana masala recipe.

 I bid u aideu. Until next time...

Happy Cooking!!