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Hello there gorgeous vegan Chana Masala for veganMofo Post 3! I posted a couple of variations of Chana Masala. With some variations here and there, this curry tastes different and fabulous! All the chana masala fans.. raise your hand! We call any curry with chickpeas/garbanzo beans ..Chole.. so you will find that reference on the blog a couple of times. Jump to Recipe
Garbanzo Beans/Chickpeas are an amazing source of a good number of minerals and protein. They have a good amount of fiber to help your digestive tract, unique supply of anti-oxidants, help with better regulation of blood sugar and increased chances of satiety and hence weight control. What more could you want from a bean and it is one versatile bean easily incorporated in so many cuisines.
Some more vegan chana masala/chole recipes. Imli Chole (Sweet and sour Tamarind Garbanzo beans), Everyday Chole, Palak chole(Spinach and chickpea curry). Scroll down for your own home made Chana masala Spice blend!
Vegan Chana Masala/Chole (Chickpea Curry)
This is the Best Vegan Chana Masala you will ever make! Learn to make the Sour, tomatoey and thick sauce. chickpea curry. gluten-free soy-free Indian.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons oil
- 1/2 medium onion chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- pinch of asafetida, hing
- 3 medium tomatoes
- 1 inch ginger chopped, can be substituted with ginger paste
- 3-4 cloves of garlic peeled and chopped, can be substituted with garlic paste
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes or green chili, to taste
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 14 oz garbanzo beans washed and drained, or 1 cup dry chickpeas soaked overnight and pressure cooked for 4-5 whistles.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon raw sugar
- 1 teaspoon Chana Masala powder or to taste, Recipe below or use the chana/chole masala blend from indian store.
Instructions
- In a blender, add 3 medium chopped tomatoes, ginger, garlic, chili, lemon juice, 1/4 can garbanzo beans(1/4 cup cooked chickpeas). Blend into a paste and keep aside.
- In a pressure cooker, add oil and onions. Switch on saute or over medium heat if it is a stove top pressure cooker.
- Cook until onions are translucent. Add in the spices, asofetida, chana masala blend and mix well.
- Add in the tomato puree and cook on medium low, partially covered with occasional stirring until the paste thickens and starts to leave oil (about 15 minutes)
- Add in the salt and remaining garbanzo beans and 1 to 1.5 cups water depending on your preference for thick or thin curry.
- Pressure cook for 2 whistles(10 minutes). or cook covered until chickpeas are easily mashable.
- Let the pressure cooker release pressure by itself(5 minutes). Adjust salt. Add more chana masala blend and chili flakes per taste. Mix well.
- Serve hot topped with chopped onions, lemon wedges, cilantro and Rotis or Naans or Basmati Rice!
- Saucepan: Use canned or slow cooker cooked chickpeas, or dry chickpeas soaked overnight. In a deep pan, make the tomato onion mixture as above. Add the chickpeas and 2 cups of water and cook for an hour or so, covered, until the chickpeas are tender. Mash some chickpeas and let cook for another 5-10 minutes uncovered. Adjust water for preferred consistency.
Notes
There are several types of pressure cookers. Some have different pressure settings. The one I use has a whistle top which acts as the pressure regulator(this model ). And it only has setting for high pressure. When the pressure inside builds up to high pressure, the pressure regulator automatically releases a little pressure at intervals to keep it maintained at a safe high pressure. That release sounds like a whistle because of the sudden steam release, which is counted to time the cooking as I have learnt from mom 🙂 For cooking the chickpeas, keep the pressure regulator at high pressure for 10 minutes (which is 2-3 whistles in the model I use) at high heat, then reduce the heat to low-medium and continue to cook for another 10.
Nutritional values are based on one serving
Nutrition
Calories: 137kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 4g, Sodium: 352mg, Potassium: 390mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 855IU, Vitamin C: 14.9mg, Calcium: 55mg, Iron: 1.8mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this recipe? Rate and comment below!
Chana Masala Spice blend/curry powder
A spice blend to add to any chunky bean/lentil soup
Ingredients
- 1/4 teaspoon Hing/Asofoetida
- 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Dry ginger powder
- 1/2 teaspoon green cardamom, elaichi powder
- 1 teaspoon Pomegranate seeds powder/Anardana, Or 1 teaspoon dry mango powder/Amchur
- 1/2 teaspoon rock salt/kala namak
To Roast:
- 1 big Bay leaf/ Tej Patta
- 1 Tablespoon Coriander/dhania seeds
- 2 teaspoons Cumin/jeera seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel/Saunf
- 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper corns, kali mirch dane or to taste
- 1/3 teaspoon clove/laung, 3-4 cloves
- 1 Dry red chili
- 1 stick Cinammon/dal chini , or 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 2 teaspoons Dry Fenugreek leaves, Kasturi methi or 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
Instructions
- On a thick bottom pan dry roast ingredients one at a time on low-medium heat till you can smell their aroma and coriander seeds start to turn brown. Stir almost constantly. (3-5 minutes)
- Cool this mix and grind with the other ingredients. Adjust the spice(chili), and sour(pomegranate seeds and rock salt) to taste. We add a bit more spice and mom adds another teaspoon of dry mango powder for a more sour masala blend.
- Store in airtight container for a few months.
Nutrition
Calories: 66kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 2g, Sodium: 675mg, Potassium: 134mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 185IU, Vitamin C: 1.1mg, Calcium: 120mg, Iron: 4.4mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this recipe? Rate and comment below!
1 can garbanzo beans washed and drained. What size can?
16 oz can
Thanks. Tried it for lunch today. It worked out wonderfully, even though my pressure cooker does not have whistles. 🙂
I made a variation on this tonight, and the method is perfection! Best homemade chana ever!
Awesome! thanks for trying it out Ariel!:) i am happy you liked it!
I made a variation on this tonight and the method is perfection!!! Best home-made chana ever!!!
Thanks Amey. Hope you like this one!!:)
oooooh! perfect! Not ONLY did you answer my question by providing a new chana masala recipe to try, but you also gave me a recipe for my Anardana powder! Huzzah! I’m gonna feature your recipe in mofo… maybe in another week or so. Thanks so much!
Thanks Melynda!
Really good spice blend, I found most of the less common ones at whole foods in little boxes. I was lazy and did not simmer as long as suggested but still great and fast. Perfect use of my garden tomatoes and instant pot!
Your dish looks warming and delicious, also very handy to include the spice blend! Thanks for sharing with the Hearth and Soul.
Thanks Krithi!
Hi Richa –
I would like to make this in my instant pot. Can you please help with how long I should cook canned chickpeas in there? Thanks!
about 10 minutes or until they’re easily mashable.
So perfectly done.. Your pics makes me crave for rotis.
Krithi’s Kitchen
Event: Serve It – Festival Potluck
Thank you Muskaan, Sudha!
Thanks Sinfoodie. Thank you for the follow.
Thanks April for the bookmark. Do let me know when you try it!
Thanks Swathi. thanks for hosting the hearth and soul blog hop. Always find healthy recipes there!