Easy Chana Masala
User Reviews
3.8
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
4 people
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Calories
159 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Indian
Easy Chana Masala
Description
In this recipe, onion, garlic, ginger, and green chili are finely chopped and sautéed until softened, forming a flavorful base. Whole spices like bay leaf, cloves, cardamom pods, and ground spices—including coriander, garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and chili powder—are added and cooked to release their aromas. Chopped canned tomatoes and vegetable stock are incorporated to create a simmering sauce that thickens and gains sweetness.
Canned chickpeas are added toward the end, blending into the spiced tomato sauce, warmed through with fresh coriander to provide herbal freshness. The result is a thick, richly flavored curry with moderate heat and complexity from the spice blend.
Traditionally served with basmati rice or Indian breads such as naan or chapati, this chana masala is a versatile dish suitable for vegetarian meals or as part of a larger spread including snacks like samosas.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 onion
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 green chilli
- 1 inch ginger fresh, piece
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 cloves
- 3 cardamom pods
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon or small cinnamon stick, powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric
- ½ teaspoon chilli powder
- 400 g chopped tomatoes canned
- 1 cup vegetable stock
- 500 g chickpeas canned
- Coriander a handful, fresh
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Finely chop the onion, garlic, ginger, and green chili. You can use a food processor to finely chop all these ingredients and save some time.
- Heat some vegetable oil or vegan butter to medium heat using a large pot. Add finely chopped onion, garlic, ginger, and green chili, and cook for a few minutes or until the onion starts to soften. Stir often making sure the garlic doesn't burn.
- Add all spices, stir well, and cook for 2-3 minutes or until fragrant. You may need to deglaze the pan with some water if the heat is too high.
- Add the canned chopped tomatoes and vegetable stock, deglaze the pan, and bring the pot to a simmer.
- Leave simmering for about 10-15 minutes so the tomatoes soften and cook well releasing their natural sweetness. You can at this point, add some sweetener such as brown sugar, or another type of sweetener you normally use.
- Add the chickpeas and chopped coriander, and cook for 5 more minutes until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper, and your Chana Masala will be ready to enjoy.
Notes
- Serve the chana masala with basmati rice or Indian breads like naan, chapati, or roti.
- It pairs well with Indian appetizers such as samosas or bhajis for a complete meal experience.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 159 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 159kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 28g | 9% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.3g | 2% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 1062mg | 44% |
| Potassium | 460mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 8g | 32% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 346IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 14mg | 16% |
| Calcium | 101mg | 10% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
3.8
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