Brown Chickpea Coconut Curry - Kadala Curry

Chickpeas:

• 3/4 cup uncooked brown chickpeas optionally soaked for 4 hours
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut fresh(thawed if frozen) or dried + more for garnish
• 1 tsp oil
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 6 curry leaves optional
• a good pinch of asafetida / hing optional, use certified gluten-free if needed
• 1/2 medium onion finely chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic finely chopped
• 1 tbsp finely chopped ginger
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp ground fennel
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp cardamom
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 1/3 to 1/2 tsp cayenne
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric
• 2 tomatoes chopped
• 3/4 tsp or more salt

Optional tempering

• 1 tsp oil
• 1/4 tsp mustard seeds
• 2 dried red chilies