Chana / Chole / Chickpeas Masala - Rosy aunty

Recipe by Rosy Pinto


Ingredients:
200 gms dry chickpeas
oil as required 
3/4 tsp cumin seeds
2 tsp garlic (finely chopped)
2 tsp ginger (finely chopped)
1 sprig curry leaves
3 medium onions (finely chopped)
1 medium tomato (finely chopped)
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 - 2 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder
1 tsp roasted crushed kasoori methi
salt to taste
1/2 tsp sugar 
5 tbsp coriander leaves (chopped)
2 green chillies

To roast and grind:
1/2" cinnamon
4 cloves
2 green cardamoms
1 star anise
4 dry byadgi chillies
1 tbsp coriander seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp fennel seeds
6 tbsp fresh grated coconut
1 tsp oil

Steps:
  1. Rinse and soak chickpeas in plenty of water for 8 hours or overnight. Drain all the water, rinse and drain again. 

  2. To a pressure cooker, add chickpeas and sufficient water. Cook until chickpeas turn soft.

  3. Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan. One by one, add the ingredients listed under 'roast and grind' and fry till it turns aromatic but don't burn it. Allow to cool, powder and grind this to a smooth paste adding required quantity of water.

  4. Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds and saute for few seconds. 
  5. Add ginger, garlic, curry leaves and saute for few seconds.
  6. Next add onion and fry until it turns golden brown  and soft.
  7. Add turmeric powder, Kashmiri chilli powder and fry until oil starts to separate.
  8. Add tomato, salt as per taste and cook until tomato turns mushy. 
  9. Add prepared masala paste and fry for 2 minutes on low flame.
  10. Add 1/2 cup water, mix well and bring it to a boil. Add sugar and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.
  11. Add cooked chickpeas along with the stock, mash some of the chickpeas with back of the ladle and add more hot water if required. 
  12. Check for salt, cover and cook over medium low heat until gravy turns thick.
  13. Add crushed kasoori methi, mix well and add slit green chillies, coriander leaves and cook for few more minutes. Switch off the flame.
  14. ENJOY!
Notes:
  • Adjust quantity of chillies as per your preference.