Punjabi Chana Masala
Kabuli chickpeas cooked in a bold, dark-brown masala built on a base of deeply fried onion, tomato, and tea-powder or tamarind for colour and acidity, spiced with coriander, dried mango powder (amchur), pomegranate seed powder (anardana), and black pepper — giving the chana a signature tangy, earthy depth that differs markedly from the more restaurant-style, milder chole. The standalone chana preparation, not the chole-bhature combination; eaten with puri, parantha, or kulcha at any meal from breakfast through dinner. A Punjabi staple that has become India's most widely replicated North Indian dish.
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Recipe
Ingredients
|
1 cup | Chickpea , dried |
|
3 cups | Water |
|
2 tablespoons | Oil |
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1 teaspoon | Cumin , seeds |
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1 medium | Onion , finely chopped |
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2 teaspoons | Ginger-garlic paste |
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2 medium | Tomato , pureed |
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1 teaspoon | Coriander powder |
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1 teaspoon | Garam masala |
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1/2 teaspoon | Turmeric powder |
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1 teaspoon | Red chili powder |
|
— | Salt , to taste |
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1 teaspoon | Amchur , dried mango powder |
|
1 tablespoon | Cilantro , chopped |
Instructions
- 1 Rinse the dried chickpeas and soak them in water overnight or for at least 8 hours.
- 2 Drain the soaked chickpeas and add them to a pressure cooker with 3 cups of water and a pinch of salt. Cook until soft, about 15-20 minutes after the first whistle.
- 3 Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
- 4 Add the chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
- 5 Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook for another minute until the raw smell disappears.
- 6 Add the tomato puree and cook until the oil starts to separate from the masala.
- 7 Mix in the coriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- 8 Add the boiled chickpeas along with some of the cooking liquid. Stir well to combine with the masala.
- 9 Simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the gravy to thicken.
- 10 Stir in the amchur powder and cook for another 2 minutes.
- 11 Garnish with fresh coriander leaves before serving.
Tips
For a richer flavor, you can add a tablespoon of butter while simmering the chickpeas.