Tangy chana Masala

Chana or Chickpeas are thought to be symbolic of hard earned money- so even if others don't take pride in what you do- you should because you deserve to.

Ingredients for the masala

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp chilly powder

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

3 to 4 cloves cardamom

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

20 ml tamarind or unsweetened mango juice

1 tsp salt

1 cup or 400 gms chickpeas soaked overnight or canned chickpeas or chana

2 onions (julian cut)

3 to 4 tomatoes diced

fresh coriander leaves

3 cloves garlic crushed

1 piece ginger crushed or paste

3 spoons of vegetable oil

Method

1. To a pan on the stove, add vegetable oil, cumin seeds, cloves of cardamom and onions. Saute it until the onions become translucent.

2. Add crushed ginger/garlic and diced tomatoes to the pan and mix it well. Let it cook for 3 minutes.

3. Once it becomes paste like consistency add salt ground coriander, ground chilli, ground black pepper, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg and mix it well. If the paste becomes too dry add the tamarind or mango juice and mix it well.

4. After a minute or so add the chickpeas and cook it for 5 to 8 minutes for canned chickpeas and 10 to 12 minutes for overnight soaked chickpeas.

5. Add cut coriander leaves on top before removing it from the stove and enjoy the chana masala with rice/naan/poori.