Our Recipes
Indian Dinner

Chana Masala

Source: https://www.splendidtable.org/story/2019/03/22/chana-masala-for-instant-pot

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons yellow or black mustard seeds
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoons Garam Masala (see recipe below) or store-bought
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt (approx.)
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 2 teaspoons amchur powder or freshly squeezed lemon juice (approx.)
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 1 serrano chile, minced
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes (with juice)
  • 2 cups dried chickpeas, rinsed (see Note)
  • 2 cups chopped greens (spinach, beet greens or mustard greens)
  • 2 teaspoons (10 mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional)
  • 1 cup (250 mL) finely chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Using the Sauté function on High, heat 2 tablespoons (30 mL) oil in the inner pot for 1 minute, until shimmering.
  2. Add the onions; cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, occasionally adding 1 tablespoon (15 mL) water if the bottom of the pot gets brown and the onion begins to stick. Cook the onion until deeply browned.
  3. Push the onion to the side of the pot. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon (15 mL) oil and heat it for 1 minute, until shimmering.
  4. Stir in the mustard seeds, coriander, garam masala, cumin, salt and turmeric; cook for about 1 minute, until the mustard seeds begin to pop. Stir in the amchur, garlic, ginger and chile; cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
  5. Add the diced tomatoes (with juice) and 2 cups (500 mL) water; stir, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Stir in the chickpeas. Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes.
  6. Once the cooking is complete, release the pressure naturally for 5 minutes, then quick-release the remaining pressure. Check to make sure the chickpeas are soft enough for your liking; if they are still too hard, cook them on high pressure for another 5 minutes.
  7. Remove the lid and stir in the chopped greens, adding a little more water if the stew is dry. Using the Sauté setting on High, simmer until the greens are wilted, about 2 minutes.
  8. Taste and add more salt and lemon juice, if needed. Stir in the cilantro and serve.