Slow Cooker Chana Masala

Submitted by quickbitechef

"Chana Masala or Amritsari Chole is one of the most popular dishes in India. It is a heavy breakfast which is generally accompanied with lassi. Chana Masala or popularly known as Choley is served with Bhature [Indian fried bread] onions, pickle and green chutney. Bhatura chole is a breakfast invented in Delhi post partition and nowadays, it is popular breakfast around north-west India and other parts of the Country. A friend of mine introduced me to Slow Cookers but I was not sure if I can cook any Indian food. Since the concept of slow cooking is very popular in India and my grandmother would always use this method I went ahead and tied. I must say, anyone trying to cook Indian food should try slow cooker as the results are simply amazing. It enhances the flavor of food ten folds. Here is a very easy recipe."

 

• Ready In: 8hrs 30mins
• Ingredients: 17
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• ingredients for boiling chickpeas
• 2 (15 ounce) cans chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 inches cinnamon sticks
• 3 -4 cloves
• 3 black tea bags (no flavor)
• ingredients for gravy
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• 1 cup tomato puree or 1 cup chopped tomato
• 2 teaspoons chana garam masala powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder, adjust this based on your taste
• 2 teaspoons coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin seed
• 4 -5 tablespoons oil
• salt, to taste

directions

1. Switch on your slow cooker at low for 8 hours.
2. In a pan boil 4-5 cups of water with tea bags, add chickpeas once the water is boiling along with bay leaf, cinnamon and cloves. Lower the heat and let the pan simmer for 10 minutes. Discard the tea bags.
3. In another pan, heat the oil and add cumin seeds. Once seeds crack, add onion and fry until light brown. Add garlic and ginger, fry for another 1-2 minutes. Add chana masala powder, chili powder, coriander powder and 1/4 cup water. Lower the heat to simmer and let the spices cook until oil seperates. Add tomato puree/chopped tomatoes at this stage and fry for another 4-5 minutes.
4. Transfer the above spice mix and chickpeas [along with water used for boiling] to your slow cooker. Add salt and give it a stir. Ensure your slow cooker has enough water to cook for 8 hours else the curry will burn and stick.
5. Garnish with chopped coriander leave, lemon wedges and some sliced onion. Serve hot with steamed rice.
6. I usually set it up at night and it's absolutely awesome waking up to wonderful aroma of the curry, lunch ready to be packed for office.
7. Don't have canned chickpeas? You can also cook this with dried chickpeas. Soak 2 cups of dried chickpeas for 7-8 hours in enough water. Pressure cook the chickpeas separately for 8-10 whistles or until soft and proceed with the recipe.

Reviews

[Stovepipe]

Thank you very much for sharing this recipe. I've never made Indian food before and wanted to try something easy. Someone at our local Indian grocery store recommended MTR brand garam masala, and it was a good choice. I wasn't sure if I browned the onions enough (just didn't know what I was doing). I found that 2-1/2 cups of water worked better than 4-5 cups in my Crock Pot, and I used about 2 tsp. salt and Assam tea. I've made this three times already in the past month, so thanks again for sharing it! It tastes like it's from an Indian restaurant.

 

[Ossika]

Easy and convenient. Slow cooking brings out great flavor.