Summer Recipe- Punjabi Style Chana Masala

Easy and simple Chana Masala using raw chickpeas which are soaked overnight and then cooked with onion, tomatoes and spices. This popular Indian dish is vegan and gluten-free and pairs well with rice or naan. Chana Masala needs no introduction. It is one of the most popular Indian dishes, whether its in India or in the western world.

In Delhi though, we usually make Chole, which is very similar to Chana Masala but uses a special blend of spices.Punjabi style chole is also usually darker in color and simmered for much longer time.However, my mom made this simple Chana Masala often with poori or paratha and we relished every bit of it.

Ingredients

1 cup white chickpeas raw, 200 grams, soaked overnight or use 2.5 cups canned chickpeas
3/4 + 1/8 teaspoon salt or as needed, divided
2.5 cups water to boil the chickpeas, skip if using canned chickpeas
1 inch ginger
3-4 large garlic cloves
1 green chili or more to taste
2 tablespoons oil 30 ml, I use avocado oil
1 bay leaf
4 whole green cardamoms
3 cloves
1 inch cinnamon stick
7-8 whole black peppercorns
3/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 large red onion finely chopped
2 medium tomatoes pureed
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/4 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon kasuri methi crushed, dried fenugreek leaves
1-2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Method

* Soak 1 cup raw white chickpeas (200 grams) overnight in 3 cups (24 oz) water. In the morning, drain the water and transfer the soaked chickpeas to a pressure cooker along with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 2 to 2.5 cups (16 oz-20 oz) water. After soaking overnight, the volume of chickpeas increased to 2.5 cups (425 grams)!
Instant Pot: Cook on high pressure for 25 minutes with natural pressure release.

* Stove-top pressure cooker: cook on high heat for 2 whistles, them lower heat to medium and cook for additional 10 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally.

* Once pressure cooked, the chickpeas will break easily when pressed between your thumb and index finger.
If using canned chickpeas, you can skip these steps, use 2.5 cups canned chickpeas and directly move to cooking the chana masala in the pot.

* Using a mortar and pestle, crush the ginger, garlic and green chili. Set it aside.

* Heat a pot/pan over medium heat on stove-top. Once hot, add the oil and then add the whole spices- bay leaf, green cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, peppercorns and cumin seeds.

* Let the spices sizzle for 30 seconds and become fragrant.

* Add the finely chopped onion and stir. Cook for 3 minutes until the onions soften. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt here so that onions cook a little faster. Meanwhile puree 2 tomatoes using a blender and set aside.

* Add the crushed ginger-garlic and green chili. Stir and cook for a minute or two until the raw smell of the ginger-garlic goes away.

* Add the pureed tomatoes along with 1 tablespoon of tomato paste. Stir and cook for 5 minutes on medium heat, stirring often.

* Then add the ground spices- coriander powder, cumin powder, paprika, turmeric and garam masala. Cook the spices for 30 seconds. The oil should ooze out of the sides of the masala at this point.

* Stir in the boiled chickpeas and mix. Also add 2 cups of water and stir. I used the same water in which the chickpeas were boiled. You can add more water here if you prefer more gravy in your chana masala.

* Taste test and adjust the salt at this point, I added 1/8 teaspoon more salt here.

* Cover the pot with a lid, set heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes for the flavors to mix-in together.

* Stir in crushed kasuri methi and chopped cilantro.

* Garnish with more cilantro and serve Chana Masala with rice or naan! You may also squeeze some fresh lemon juice if desired.