Kabuli Channa Masala (Garbanzo beans in Onion Tomato Gravy)

Easy and tasty Kabuli channa masala (Chole masala) is a classic punjabi dish.

Goes well with with any Indian bread like bhatura, rotis, puris, naan and also rice.  Its a healthy, nutritious food with high protein content.

1 cup Kabuli Channa 

2 Onions

3 Tomatoes

1 /2 teaspoon Ginger paste

1 teaspoon Coriander Powder

1/2 teaspoon Masala Powder

1/2 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder

1/4 teaspoon Tumeric Powder

1 teaspoon Salt

1 tablespoon Sugar (optional)

4 tablespoons Oil

1. Soak Channa overnight (or for 8 hours). Discard water, wash with fresh water. Immerse channa in water and pressure cook it for 3 whistles. Then strain channas and keep the liquid. Chop Onions and tomatoes. In a pan, heat  2 tablespoons of oil, add onions. Saute till transparent. Add all the powders saute till onions turn brown.

2. Add tomatoes and stir fry for 5 minutes.

3. Grind tomatoes and onions together to a smooth paste. Add 1/4 of cooked channa and grind it again till it becomes a coarse paste.

4. Heat the pan again with 2 tablespoons of oil. Add ginger. Saute it till the raw smell goes off. Add tomato - onion paste and then remaining channa. Cook it for 5 minutes. Check the salt and red chilli powder and add to taste. You can also add Sugar now.

5. Add the liquid and cook it for 15 -20 minutes or till the liquid dries up.