Black Chana Masala | Chick Peas Curry | Chana Masala

Chana Masala, a chickpeas curry in onion tomato masala.As i have already shared the basic onion tomato masala that you can use in variety of India Curries as base masala. Here in the recipe, i have used the same recipe of base masala and make this chana masala and it turns out super delicious.It goes very well with roti, chapathi or with any Indian flat breads. 
Even without coconut or cream, this curry turned out so creamy, if you like chana masala with coconut, then check out the delicious kadala curry here. As i have already mentioned   in my onion tomato masala post, you can prepare & store this masala ahead of time,at the time of need, bring the masala to boil and add cooked chana,that's it,your chana masala is ready.

Chana Masala

Preparation Time : 8 hrs for soaking | Cooking Time : 30 mins | Serves : 4 
Recipe Category: Curry | Recipe Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients
Black Chana - 1/2 cup
Onion(large) - 1
Tomato(medium) - 2
Garlic - 5 pods
Ginger - 1/2 inch piece
Cumin seed - 1/4 tsp
Fennel seed - 1/4 tsp
Cashew - 5
Oil - 2 1/2 tsp
Cinnamon - 1/2 inch piece
Cloves - 2 
Cardamom - 2
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Red chili powder - 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
Salt - to taste 

Procedure

Soak  the chana for overnight or atleast 8 hrs and put it in pressure cooker along with 1/4 tsp of salt & water(just to immerse the chana) and cook it for 3 whistles & keep it aside until use. It should be mushy when pressed it with fingers.Peel the onions,garlic & ginger and chop them along with tomato roughly into pieces. Heat the pan with 1 tsp of oil, add the cumin & fennel seed let it fry in oil for 30 secs.Then add the onions, ginger & garlic along with 1/4 tsp of  salt and saute till the onions become translucent.Then add the cashews and tomato and saute till the tomato becomes mushy.Switch off the flame and let it cool completely.Put the onion & tomato masala into mixie/blender jar and grind them into smooth paste. Heat the pan with remaining oil and add the whole spices(cinnamon, cloves and cardamom),let it fry in oil for 30 secs.Then add the masala paste and spice powder(turmeric, red chili & coriander powder) and salt.If needed add some water and cover the pan with lid and cook for 8-10 mins in medium flame. By the time, the raw smell of the masala is gone,open the lid and keep in low flame until the oil separates on the top. Finally add the garam masala & mix well.(That's it, this is your base masala,you can store this for later use too.)Now add the chana along with the cooked water(transfer the masala to bigger pot for easy stirring) and let it be in flame for 5 mins,finally add coriander leaves and switch off the flame.That's it,Tasty & Creamy Chana masala is ready.

Notes:

• Cook the masala till oil separates before adding chana.
• Chana should be mushy when pressed between fingers.
• If the tomatoes have more tartness, add a tsp of sugar in the masala to balance the gravy.
• Use well ripe tomatoes and good quality chili powder to get bright colors.