Popularly know as ‘Chana Masala’ in India. This dish is easy to make and can be eaten with plain rice, Indian bread or any flat bread.

Ingredients for 3 servings

  • 1/4 tsp olive/canola oil
  • ½ tsp cumin seeds
  • 1” cinnamon stick
  • 3 cardamom pods, lightly cracked
  • 2 whole cloves
  • ½ medium size yellow/red onion, minced
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp minced ginger
  • ½ -1 serrano pepper, minced (use even less if you don’t like things spicy!)
  • 4 roma tomatoes, finely chopped (or pureed in a blender / food processor)
  • ¼ -1/2 tsp Indian red chili pepper powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper
  • 1 tbsp coriander powder
  • ½ -1 tsp garam masala
  • 2 tsp amchur powder or 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • salt to taste (1/2 – 1 tsp)
  • 1 can (25 oz) or 2 (15 oz) cans of Garbanzo bean drained and rinsed well
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro to garnish

Method

  1. Heat the oil in a saucepan, add cumin seeds, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves stir and immediately add onion. Sauté’ onion till golden about 3-4 minutes then add garlic, ginger and serrano pepper cook another minute then add tomatoes and sauté till tomatoes are cooked down completely, about 4-5 minutes. Now add red chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala, amchur powder and salt. Cook for another minute.
  2. Add the beans and stir for 3-5 minutes to incorporate the sauce now add a cup of water, smash a few beans from the back of your spoon and cook the curry for 5 minutes. (You may have to add another ½ cup of hot water at this point if you need more gravy). Garnish with cilantro.