Name: Shortcut Chana Masala
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H50M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT1H0M0.000S
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: indian
Ingredients: Two 15-ounce cans chickpeas, rinsed well and drained; 2 bay leaves; 1 black tea bag (or 2 teaspoons black tea in a muslin bag); 1 black cardamom pod, optional; Kosher salt; 4 tablespoons ghee or oil (I like to use a combination of both); 2 medium onions, chopped (about 1 3/4 cups); 2 inches ginger, peeled and grated or mashed; 2 medium cloves garlic, grated or minced to a paste; 1 to 4 Thai green chiles or serrano peppers, chopped (see Cook's Note); 2 tablespoons chana masala spice blend (see Cook’s Note); 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes (see Cook's Note); 1/2 teaspoon chaat masala spice blend, optional, for extra tang (see Cook's Note); Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish; 1 lime, cut into wedges

Directions

Combine the chickpeas with the bay leaves, black tea bag, black cardamom, if using, 1 teaspoon salt and 2 cups of water in a large Dutch oven. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce to low and simmer until the chickpeas are soft and infused with the spices and tea, about 10 minutes. Discard the tea bag, bay leaves and cardamom pod. Drain the chickpeas and put them back in the pot they were cooking in.
Meanwhile, heat the ghee and/or oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring and scraping occasionally, until the onions are very soft and golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
Add the ginger, garlic and green chiles and cook until the raw smell goes away, about 3 minutes. Add the chana masala along with 2 tablespoons of water and sauté until the raw smell dissipates, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the chaat masala, if using, and cook until well cooked and pasty, about 8 minutes.
Add the spice mixture to the chickpeas with 1 cup of water, mix well and bring to a simmer over medium heat; simmer until the curry thickens, coats and infuses with the chickpeas, about 5 minutes. Adjust the salt to taste. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

Cook’s Note

Chana masala and chaat masala: I made this recipe with Kalustyan’s chana masala and thought it was great. You can use any brand you like. Green chiles: I like to use the small Thai or Indian green chiles, but serrano or jalapenos will also work. When I say 1 to 4 chiles, that refers to the smaller chilies, which are more potent. If using serranos or jalapenos, use 1 to 2. Tomatoes: You can also use whole peeled canned tomatoes and crush them. Traditionally this dish has a very thick gravy that wraps around the chickpeas. If you want, you can add a little water to increase the amount of gravy, but the flavors won’t be as intense or have the same impact as when the dish is drier.

Shortcut Chana Masala

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Cook’s Note

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