Chana masala is a popular Indian dish made with chickpeas, spices, and tomatoes. It is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. Chana masala is relatively easy to make at home, but it does require some time and patience. The key to making a good chana masala is to use good quality chickpeas and to cook them until they are very soft.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 inch piece of cinnamon stick
• 4 cloves
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chopped onions
• 1 green chilli, chopped (optional)
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Chopped cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

1. Drain the chickpeas and add them to a pressure cooker along with 2 cups of water.
2. Close the pressure cooker and cook on high heat for 15-20 minutes, or until the chickpeas are very soft.
3. While the chickpeas are cooking, heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, and cloves and cook for a minute, or until fragrant.
4. Add the coriander powder, garam masala, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and salt and cook for another minute, stirring constantly.
5. Add the onions and green chilli (if using) and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
6. Add the tomatoes and cook until they are soft and mushy, about 10 minutes.
7. Add the cooked chickpeas and their water to the pan along with the water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened.
8. Stir in the heavy cream and heat through.
9. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot with rice or roti.

Tips

• For a richer flavour, you can smoke the tomatoes before adding them to the curry. To do this, preheat a grill or pan over medium heat. Rub the tomatoes with a little oil and grill or pan-roast for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are charred.
• You can also add a dollop of ghee to the curry before serving.
• Chana masala is traditionally served with rice or roti, but it can also be served with naan or paratha.

Chana masala is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is relatively easy to make at home, but it does require some time and patience. The key to making a good chana masala is to use good quality chickpeas and to cook them until they are very soft. With a little effort, you can make a chana masala that is just as good as the one you would get at a restaurant.