Recipe for Home-made Chana Masala

Regular readers will know of my all consuming love of the humble chickpea!  I am constantly looking for new ways to serve them and this  Chana Masala is absolutely perfect.  Its so easy to make yet is delicious and healthy too.  What’s not to like about that?

Its a lovely warming dish that can be served on its own or as a side.  I recommend that you give it a go!

If you want to try making it- here is what you will need-
Ingredients for Chana Masala:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2-3 cm piece of fresh ginger
• 3 green chillis
• 25g fresh coriander
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp salt
• 400g can of chickpeas
• 400g passata (or tin of tomatoes, blended)
• Juice of half a lemon
• 1 tsp garam masala
• some fresh coriander leaves to garnish

Instructions

• Heat the oil in a large pan
• When it is hot, add the cumin seeds and stir until the scent is released
• Add the onion and cook over a very low heat until soft and golden brown in colour
• Blend the garlic, chilli fresh coriander and ginger into a paste (you can use hand blender or a mortar and pestle)

• Add the ground coriander ground cumin, chilli powder and turmeric to the paste, add to the pan and cook for a couple of minutes,

• Add the passata, chickpeas (with the liquid from the can) and salt.
• Simmer over a low heat for 20-30 minutes or until thickened
• Stir in the garam masala and lemon juice and serve with some coriander leaves scattered on the tops

Serve and enjoy!