I told you a while back after visiting an Indian restaurant in Big Bear that my new cooking goal was to figure out how to prepare the Chana Masala that we enjoyed there.
I’m happy to say that after much experimentation, recipe combining, and endless tasting, I’ve created a dish that just feels right (and tastes delicious). This Chana Masala is not only tasty, it’s easy and quick to make. It’s already become a keeper in my kitchen.
Chana Masala: Quick and Easy Curried Chickpeas
This quick and easy Chana Masala will quickly become one of your favorites. #veganClick To Tweet
Chana Masala is naturally vegan and potentially gluten-free (just omit the asafetida). It is spicy, delicious, and amazingly easy to make.
I love it with rice, but if you prefer you can eat it alone, or use quinoa, couscous, or even pasta. Using canned beans and tomatoes reduces the cooking time so that this is a meal that can be prepared in less than an hour, making it perfect for a busy day or after work.
One of the great things about Indian food is that if you’re missing one or even two of the spices, don’t worry about it. Just use what you have, adjust the seasonings to your taste, and you will have a hearty and delicious dish.
Do you like Indian food? What’s your favorite dish? Have you tried Chana Masala?
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- 2 Tablespoons garlic, minced (about 4-5 cloves)
- 2 Tablespoons
ginger, grated - ½ cup cilantro, chopped
- 2 serrano peppers, chopped (you can seed them if you want a milder sauce)
- 2 Tablespoons Olive or Coconut Oil
- 1 white onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon asafetida (optional, omit to make gluten-free)
- 2 15 ounce cans diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 15 ounce cans garbanzo beans, drained
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½- 1 cup water
- Cilantro for garnish
- White or Brown rice
- Prepare the rice according to package directions.
- In a blender, combine the garlic, ginger, cilantro and pepper. Blend until you have a paste. Set aside.
- Heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add in the chili paste, cumin, salt, garam masala, coriander, chili powder, turmeric, cayenne, and asafetida. Stir to combine.
- Add the tomatoes, chickpeas, lemon juice and ½ cup water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer
- Adjust the seasonings to your taste. If the chana masala looks too thick you can add a little water. You want a thick, soupy consistency.
- Simmer for about 15 minutes. Serve with rice. Garnish with cilantro.
Chana Masala is the one thing I order every time we order in Indian food. It’s my favorite! The spicier the better for me. Thanks for sharing your recipe I look forward to trying it out
Oh that looks delicious! Thanks for sharing!