KaLya Chanyachi Amti / Bengal Gram Curry

Recipe: Cooked chickpeas/bengal gram simmered in spice mixture !
     

     Bengal Gram, also known as Chana is one of the most important pulses in India. Also known as chickpeas, these are slightly different than the garbanzo/kabuli chana and come in black, brown and green colors. The bengal gram variety of the chickpeas are considered to have more fiber than the garbanzo beans and therefore a low glycemic index which make them suitable for people with diabetes or sugar problems.

     This is a regular preparation at home and the use of goda masala gives the curry a nice sweetish aroma. Soak these beans for 6-8 hours before starting to make the curry as this helps in reducing the cooking time. Although the ingredients list looks lengthy, it is not that tough to make it.  This goes to this month’s MLLA-20 hosted by The Crispy Cook and started by Susan.

Ingredients:
1 cup chana/bengal gram/chickpeas
1/2 tomato
1 tsp chili powder (or according to taste)
1/8 tsp turmeric
salt to taste
Tempering;
2 tbsp oil
pinch of asafetida
1 strand of curry leaves
1/2 cup onions,chopped
 Grind to Paste:
1/4 cup dry coconut, roasted
1/4 cup cooked chana/gram
1/2 cup onions, chopped, roasted
2 –3 big garlic cloves
1 in ginger
1/4 cup cilantro
2 tbsp goda masala/(if unavailable use garam masala)

Preparation Method:
1. Soak the chana/bengal gram/chickpeas for about 6 –8 hours or overnight.
2. Pressure cook them with enough water. (This reduces cooking time significantly)
3. Combine all the ingredients mentioned and grind to a fine paste.
4. Heat oil in a deep vessel, add asafetida, curry leaves and onions. Sauté till the onions turns translucent.
5. Add the cooked chickpeas, tomatoes, salt, chili powder, turmeric and bring it to boil. let it simmer for 10 –15 minutes on med flame.
6. Garnish and serve with hot white rice or with bhakri/bread



Preparation Time: 30 -40 minutes
Serves: 2-4

Tags: garbanzo beans, kadle kaal saaru, kadle kaal usal, kale chane, harbare, kale harbare, bengal gram, black gram, whole gram, curry, gravy, kattin saar, katachi amti, usal, masala, goda masala, kala masala,