Chana Masala (Savory Indian Chick Peas)

Give this chana masala dish a try and don't look back. Indian food is not just curried sauces. It's not too exotic either, unless "exotic" is code for "yummy and full of flavor." This spin on an Indian chickpea curry features a healthy mixture of chickpeas, tomatoes, onion, and spices. Both carnivores and vegetarians will enjoy this meal. My kids love it. Leave out the green chile if the kiddies will be eating. Serve over basmati or jasmine rice and enjoy. Namaste y'all!

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 413 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 pinch salt to taste
• water as needed
• 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped, or more to taste
• 1 (1 inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 green chile pepper, seeded and chopped (Optional)
• 2 fresh bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish, or more to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Grind onion, tomato, ginger, garlic, and chile pepper together in a food processor into a paste.

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry bay leaves in hot oil until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour the paste into the skillet and cook until the oil begins to separate from the mixture and is golden brown in color, 2 to 3 minutes. Season the mixture with chili powder, coriander, gram masala, turmeric, and salt; cook and stir until very hot, 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 3

Stir enough water into the mixture to get a thick gravy; bring to a boil and stir chickpeas into the gravy. Reduce heat to medium and cook until the chickpeas are heated through, 5 to 7 minutes. Garnish with cilantro.