Channa Masala Recipe
+5 photos

Channa Masala Recipe

6 servings
As one of the most popular dishes in the world, channa masala—chickpeas cooked in a spicy and tangy tomato-based sauce—is the kind of dish that stirs passions.

Ingredients

  • cloves garlic

    roughly chopped

    4 medium
  • knob ginger

    peeled, roughly chopped

    1
  • green thai chiles
    1
  • juice from 1 lemon

    divided

    2 tbsp
  • kosher salt
  • vegetable oil or ghee
    2 tbsp
  • black mustard seed
    2 tsp
  • whole cumin seed
    1 tsp
  • onion

    finely diced, about 1 1/2 cups; 300g

    1 large
  • baking soda
    ¼ tsp
  • ground coriander
    2 tsp
  • freshly ground black pepper
    ½ tsp
  • ground turmeric
    ½ tsp
  • store-bought or homemade garam masala

    divided

    1 ½ tsp
  • can whole peeled tomatoes
    1
  • cans chickpeas

    drained and rinsed

    2
  • cilantro leaves

    roughly chopped, 1 ounce; 25g

    1 c

Directions

  1. 1

    Combine garlic, ginger, chiles, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt in a mortar and pestle or in the small work bowl of a food processor and pound or process until a fine paste is produced. Set aside.

    Step 1
  2. 2

    Heat oil or ghee in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. All at once, add mustard seeds and cumin. They will sputter and spit for a few seconds. As soon as they are aromatic (about 15 seconds), add onion all at once, along with baking soda. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions start to leave a brown coating on bottom of pan, 3 to 4 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon water, scrape up browned bits from pan, and continue cooking. Repeat this process until onions are a deep brown, about 10 minutes total.

    Step 2
  3. 3

    Immediately add garlic/ginger/chile paste all at once and stir to combine. Add coriander, black pepper, turmeric, and 1 teaspoon garam masala. Stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and crush them using a whisk or potato masher. Add drained, rinsed chickpeas and cilantro, reserving a little cilantro for garnish. Add 1/2 cup water.

    Step 3
  4. 4

    Bring to a simmer, cover with lid slightly cracked, and reduce heat to maintain a gentle bubbling. Cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid has reduced into a thick stew and spices have melded, about 30 minutes.

    Step 4
  5. 5

    Stir in remaining garam masala and lemon juice. Season to taste with salt. Serve with rice and/or naan , sprinkling additional cilantro on top.

    Step 5
Channa Masala Recipe
+5

Channa Masala Recipe

55 min6 servings229 cal

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About this Recipe

Craving a deeply flavorful, satisfying meal that's both comforting and vibrant? This Channa Masala recipe delivers the beloved taste of a classic chickpea curry, known worldwide for stirring passions with its rich, spicy, and tangy tomato-based sauce. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a hearty, plant-forward dish that feels both exotic and familiar.

What makes this Channa Masala truly shine is the careful layering of aromatic ingredients and warming spices. The vibrant kick from fresh ginger, garlic, and green Thai chiles creates a lively base, which is then mellowed and deepened by a complex blend of whole black mustard seeds, whole cumin seeds, ground coriander, and turmeric. The careful integration of store-bought or homemade garam masala at just the right moments ensures every bite is packed with an authentic, robust flavor.

When you prepare this dish, you can look forward to a wonderfully satisfying main course where tender chickpeas are lovingly enveloped in a velvety, spice-infused tomato sauce. The dish presents a beautiful balance of heat from the chiles, earthiness from the spices, and a crucial tang from fresh lemon juice, which brightens every spoonful. It’s a heartwarming experience, rich in texture and complex in flavor, making it perfect for a cozy weeknight or a gathering with friends.

While delicious as written, you can easily adapt this chickpea curry to your preferences. For a milder dish, simply reduce the amount of green Thai chiles, or for more heat, feel free to add an extra one. You can also experiment with the final squeeze of lemon juice to adjust the tang to your liking. Serving it with cauliflower rice is an excellent choice for those following a low-carb diet, leveraging the natural goodness of this chickpea-based curry.

This flavorful Channa Masala is ideal for a comforting family dinner or a vibrant centerpiece at a potluck. Serve it hot with fluffy basmati rice, warm naan bread, or alongside a simple cucumber raita to complement its rich, spicy notes.

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