Why You’re Going To Love This Chana Masala Recipe
Fast. Ok, so this isn’t one of the quickest recipes I’ve ever created, but compared to how long it could take without the help of an Instant Pot, it’s very fast. Easy. Use prepared Onion Masala to reduce the number of steps it takes to create a delicious Chana Masala.Authentic. This will make you feel like you’re eating a delicious home-cooked meal in India. Vegetarian. This vegetarian recipe is absolutely packed with protein thanks to chickpeas, so it’s a great meal option.
I call them homestyle because…well, they ARE homestyle which means they’re not overly spiced, and they don’t have that deep red color that restaurant chana do. These taste like what my mom used to make, and she was Punjabi. She was also a very good cook, so that is good enough for me to try to replicate.
What Is Chana Masala?
Chana Masala is a wonderful, savory, vegetarian Indian dish made with chickpeas, and a classic sauce, or “gravy”, made with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and a bunch of spices.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Dried ChickpeasBay LeavesOnion masalaGheeChana masala spice mix- You can omit this if you don’t have it, although it really does add an authentic taste.Kosher SaltAmchoor- Use this if you have it, but if you don’t you can also use the juice of a whole lemon, squeezed.
How To Make Chana Masala
The list of steps below may seem daunting at first glance, but I promise they are all extremely easy to follow and will save you an enormous amount of time compared to preparing traditional homemade Chana Masala.
Quick Soak and Cook the Chana
Finishing the Chana
Tips And Tricks
Don’t use cornstarch. Seriously, there’s no need to. Simply mash half of the chickpeas to create a thick, delicious consistency. It’s ok if you don’t have all of the ingredients. I know that it can be difficult to find some of the ingredients in this dish in some areas, so I tried to provide substitutions or omissions for specialty ingredients where I could. Prep extra onion masala. You’re going to love this recipe and want to eat it again soon, I guarantee it. Unfortunately, chickpeas aren’t that resilient when stored after preparation. So, keep the onion masala in your fridge so you can quickly whip up another batch of chana masala in a flash.
What To Serve With It
Chana Masala is far from a low carb meal, so you may want to offset the heaviness of the dish with a cucumber salad or beet salad. On the other hand, if you’re serving this as a comfort meal and want to keep the sides authentic, it can be served with rice, naan, or chapati. Even better? Serve a small portion of everything and enjoy the variety of flavors and textures for an incredible dining experience.
How Long Does It Last?
Chana Masala is best enjoyed within a few days of preparing it, especially if you prefer your chickpeas to have a bit more bite to them. Once the chickpeas sit in the curry inside the refrigerator, they become mushy and the texture quickly deteriorates.
Want More Indian Instant Pot Recipes?
Instant Pot Butter ChickenChicken KormanChicken VindalooInstant Pot Chicken BiryaniLamb Rogan Josh
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