Channa Masala

Heres the next recipe for this week ....Channa (indian name of Chick pea) stands top in popular Indian dishes. Channa recipes are not only easy to prepare but also protein rich food  and a good source of dietry fiber. Though we love our mom made channa masala very much, we haven't tried this for loong time. When we were thinking on trying a healthy dish, it suddenly came to our mind today and it turned out to be the best choice.

Ingredients

No of persons - 3

1. Channa soaked in water overnight - 500 g
2. Big Onions - 2(chopped)
3. Tomatoes - 2(chopped
4. Ginger  - 1/2 tsp
5. Garlic - 5-6 cloves
6. Pepper corns - 1/2 tsp
7. Fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp
8. Garam masala/Channa masala powder - 1tsp
9. Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
10. Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
11. Coriander powder - 3/4 tsp
12. Seasoning items - 
1. Oil - 3 tbsp
2. Cumin seeds - 1/4 tsp
3. Bay leaf 2 
4. Clove - 3
5. Cinnamon stick - 1/2 inch
13. Garnish - Coriander leaves
14. Salt -as needed

Nutrition :
The food is low in saturated fat and very low in cholestrol and sodium. It is also a good source of dietry fiber and protein

Method :

Boil channa till it becomes soft(usually for 3 whistles).

1. Pour 1 tbsp of oil in a pan and add ginger, garlic
2. Add onions and wait for the onions to glaze at you. Add half of salt to avoid burning. 
3. Add tomatoes and fry till its cooked well.
4. Add pepper corns and fennel seeds to the mixture
5. Remove the mixture from flame and keep it aside.
6. Grind the mixture 
7. Fry oil  in a pan with cumin seeds, bay leaf, clove and Cinnamon sticks
8. Add chopped onions and the remaining salt to taste
9. Fry the mixture till onion turns golden brown and add the grinded paste to the boiling mixture
10. Add turmeric powder and all the spices(Coriander powder, Chilli powder, Garam masala powder)
11. Add the cooked channa and heat the mixture for 5-10 mts in low flame
12. Garnish with coriander leaves

mmmmmmmmmm...Yummy yummy...