Quick & Easy Chana Masala

Quick and Easy Chana Masala. You are really going to love me for this 30 minutes curry recipe,  every-time you make it!! Serve this Vegetarian Chickpeas Curry along with Rice & Roti.

What is your idea of comfort food?

Well, mine is certainly something that can be made in a jiffy, still nothing devoid of flavours just like this Chana Masala.
This curry recipe has got fond memories and transports me back to days when we just got married { more than a decade ago }. I had taken at-least 3 hours to make this yummilicious Chole curry trying to impress my better half { ever after having cooked chickpeas on the kitchen counter }. Reminiscing the time we have had at Punjabi Dhabba together, this dish always has special place..

Trust me, every time I made this Chickpeas Curry after that, I have found tricks to make them quicker and customise the flavours to our liking…. Guess we all learn with time..

Fast forward to today’s date: if I have to make something super speedy, it has got to be this Quick and Easy Chana Masala / Chole served with Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice®  Cooking really doesn’t have to be laborious.. There is always a way to get around it. When it comes to rice, we love to get our hands on Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice.

In this CHANA MASALA post, you will learn

What is Chana Masala

Which Chickpeas/ Garbanzo Beans to choose

Spices to use in this easy curry

What to eat with Chana Masala

How to make the Perfect Chana Masala in 30 minutes

WHAT IS CHANA MASALA? 

Chana Masala is fondly known by many names such as Chole, CHannay, Chickpeas curry or chholay and it has originated from the Indian subcontinent!! Primary Ingredient for making Chana masala is CHICKPEAS / GARBANZO BEANS.

It is traditionally made with Chickpeas, Onions, Tomatoes, Ginger, Chillies & Spices. The combination of these gorgeous ingredients results in delicious chole.

During the week, we all take time off as a family to sit together and connect over our favourite meal at dinner time. This is the opportunity to actually break free from technology and catch up together about our day.. In fact a few month’s  ago we redecorated our dinning room with focus light just over the table, just like how we enjoy..  Mildly spiced Chickpeas Curry is one such dish that we enjoy at the table together..

HOW DO YOU MAKE CHANA MASALA?

This is one question I often get asked and I tell people this super easy Garbanzo Beans Curry can be made elaborately and even quickly. It all depends on the time, I have got in hand.
In this post, I am going to show you how quickly and easily you can make this Vegetarian Chana Masala.

WHICH CHICKPEAS [ Garbanzo Beans ] TO USE?

Well, It totally depends on how much time you have got in hand. Just like a cool Friday Night, when you want to make some really quick, I recommend using Canned Chickpeas. But just incase you have planned ahead on cooking the curry, soak the chickpeas overnight.

WHAT IS CHANA MASALA MADE OF?

Chana Masala has primarily got one main ingredient – Chickpeas / Garbanzo Beans / Chana or Choley.
Other Ingredients that form the base of this curry is Onion, Tomato, Ginger and Garlic. And spices !!

So what spices are in CHANA MASALA?

There is a huge list of spices that goes in the making like Peppercorn, Cumin Seeds, Coriander Seeds, Cardamom, Pomegranate Powder, Amchur Powder etc. If you are pressed for time, I reckon you source the chole masala / powder from an Indian grocery store.
But if you do not have access to this Chana/ Choley Masala Powder, just use Garam Masala Powder. { This is usually available locally in every super store just like Tesco }

WHAT DO I PAIR THIS LIP-SMACKING VEGETARIAN CHICKPEAS CURRY?

You can enjoy this comforting Curry with Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice® and may be Homemade Naan Bread.. That’ exactly how I would love my Friday Night dinner.  A lot of people do enjoy Chole Bhature combo with a glass of Coke.  Enjoy this Choley Masala as an appetiser by drizzling some over Samosa and chaat chutney’s for variation. This curry is so versatile that it can be enjoyed in every other way you can imagine.

This Vegan Chana Masala is so good for health that you can make it any day anytime..

HOW TO COOK Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice® ?

Really Simple and 2 Minutes is all you need if you are cooking in a Microwave. Squeeze the pouch to separate the rice. Heat for 2 mins in a 700W microwave or 90 sec in a 900W!! Serve.

There is absolutely nothing to worry if you are going to cook it in a pan. Add the rice, cover and simmer for 3 mins. Stir rice through for a perfect finish.

Fluffy and Perfectly cooked every time!

We believe you will enjoy our other favourite Easy Curry Recipes to pair with Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice®

Paneer Peshawari

Kerala Egg Curry

30 Minutes Vegan Thai Red Curry

Dhaba Style Dal Makhani

Dhaba Style Aloo Matar

BEST Easy Chana Masala Recipe below

5 from 6 votes

Print

Easy Chana Masala | Vegan Chickpeas Curry { Indian }

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

25 mins

 

This 30 Minutes One pot Chana Masala  is a wholesome flavoursome and healthy Curry served with Rice, Roti or Naan Bread.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: chickpeas, curry, one pot, vegan

Servings: 5 People

Author: Sandhya Hariharan

Ingredients

• 2 Can of Cooked Chickpeas/ Garbanzo Beans
• 2 Medium sized finely chopped onion red, yellow or white - either of them will work
• 1 Can of diced tomatoes
• 2 Tbsp Oil
• 1 Green Chilli Slit
• 1 Tsp Cumin Seeds
• 2 Tbsp Ginger - Garlic Paste
• 1/2 Tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1 Tsp Chilli Powder
• 2 1/2 Tsp Garam Masala
• 2 Tsp Coriander Powder
• 1 Tsp Lemon Juice
• 11/2 Cup Water
• Salt to taste
• Coriander leaves for garnishing

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a deep pan , add Cumin Seeds. Once they splutter add Ginger- Garlic Paste, Slit green chillies & onions. Sauté them for a few minutes until raw smell is eliminated. Adding a pinch of salt to onions evaporates the water content quickly.

2. Now add a can of diced tomatoes, turmeric powder, chilli powder and sauté them until it mixes well with the onion mixture and the oil begins to separate. Blend this mixture well in a blender after cooling down if you like the texture smooth. 

3. But if you don’t mind it a bit chunky, continue cooking. Add  coriander powder, garam masala, salt, chickpeas and 11/2 cup of water.

4. Stir well and allow this mixture to cook  for at least 10 minutes until desired consistency is achieved. Check for seasoning and spices and add more if needed. 

5. Add Lemon Juice and garnish with coriander leaves.

6. Serve this easy Chana Masala with Uncle Ben’s Long Grain Rice.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Uncle Ben’s. All opinions expressed here are of my own.#DinnerBringsUsCloser #UncleBens #AD