Paya Channa Recipes

CHANA MASALA RECIPE

Steps:

• Rinse dried chickpeas at least thrice. Soak them in 3 ½ to 4 cups of water overnight or for at least 8 hours.
• Drain the water and rinse them well. Pour 1 ½ cups water and pressure cook for 5 to 6 whistles on a stovetop cooker. You may also cook in an instant pot for 18 minutes on a high pressure. Let the pressure drop naturally.
• Make sure your chickpeas are soft and tender. Squeeze a chickpea to test, it should get mashed fully. If not cook them for a little longer.
• Heat a large pot and pour oil. When the oil turns slightly hot, add the whole spices - cinnamon, cloves, cardamoms and bay leaf.
• When they begin to sizzle add the onions and saute until they turn light golden.
• Add ginger garlic paste and saute for a minute without burning.
• Add tomatoes and salt. Let cook until mushy, pulpy and thick.
• Stir in red chilli powder, turmeric, garam masala, coriander powder and cumin powder. Saute until the masala begins to smell good, for about 3 to 4 mins.
• Optional - If you want a smooth curry, cool this, discard the bay leaf and cinnamon. Blend in a blender to a smooth or coarse paste to suit your liking. I prefer to blend in 2 tbsps cooked chana along with the onion tomato masala. Add that puree back to the pan.
• Add the chana along with the chana stock (1¼ cups). Pour another ¾ to 1 cup water. If using canned chickpeas, drain and rinse them before adding with 1 ¾ cups water.
• Mix well. Taste test and add more salt. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
• When the consistency is thick (check pics), add amchur powder (optional) and kasuri methi.
• Garnish Chana masala with coriander leaves. Sprinkle some lemon juice if required.
• To make the recipe in Instant pot, make the onion tomato masala on saute mode. Optionally If you want you may cool and blend this. Add the soaked chickpeas with 2 cups water. Deglaze and Pressure cook on high for 35 minutes. When the pressure drops, open the lid. Cook on a saute mode for a few minutes until thick. Add kasuri methi and amchur.

KALA CHANNA (BLACK CHICKPEAS)

Steps:

• Wash the chickpeas under cold running water. Put them in a large bowl, cover with cold water, and leave to soak for at least 6 hours or preferably overnight. The chickpeas will double in volume so ensure you use a suitable bowl and add at least 6⅓ cups (1.5 liters) water.
• Drain the chickpeas and put them in a pot, cover with fresh water, and bring to a boil. Add the dried red chiles, cover, and simmer for 1-1½ hours. Check after 1 hour-the chickpeas should be firm but soft inside (the outside will not soften). If the inside is still hard, continue to simmer until the chickpeas have a creamy consistency inside. Drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, dry roast the cumin seeds in a heavy-based pan over low heat, stirring until they turn a few shades darker. Tip them onto a plate and leave to cool. Grind to a powder, using a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle.
• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and fry for about 15 minutes until rich and brown. Add the garlic, ginger, and green chile and stir for a minute, then add the ground roasted cumin, coriander, and chile powder, followed by the tomato paste.
• Add a generous 2 cups (500 ml) warm water and return the chickpeas and red chiles to the pot with the salt. Keep the liquid at a slow rolling boil until it has reduced to a thick clingy sauce. Add the garam masala and continue to cook until the oil comes to the surface and the chickpeas are glistening. Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving.