Chana Masala

Here's the complete process of cooking Chana Masala, a flavorful Indian dish made with chickpeas. I will include the ingredients, time required, cooking process, and approximate calorie information for your reference.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chickpeas (or 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed)
• 2 medium-sized onions, finely chopped
• 3 tomatoes, pureed or finely chopped
• 2 green chilies, slit lengthwise (adjust according to your spice preference)
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
• 2 teaspoons coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust according to your spice preference)
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro (coriander) leaves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons oil or ghee (clarified butter)
• Salt to taste

Cooking Time: Approximately 40 minutes Serves: 4

Calorie Information (Approximate):

• Chana Masala (1 serving): 250-300 calories
• Basmati Rice (1 cup cooked): 200-250 calories
• Roti (1 piece): 100-150 calories

Now, let's move on to the cooking process:

1. Heat oil or ghee in a large pan or kadai over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
2. Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
3. Add minced garlic, grated ginger, and slit green chilies. Sauté for a minute or until the raw aroma disappears.
4. Add the pureed or finely chopped tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes become soft and mushy.
5. Now, add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and garam masala. Mix well and cook for a minute to let the spices release their flavors.
6. Add the cooked chickpeas and salt to taste. Stir everything together and cook for 10-12 minutes, allowing the chickpeas to absorb the flavors.
7. If the mixture seems too dry, you can add a little water to adjust the consistency.
8. Once the chickpeas are cooked through and the flavors have melded together, turn off the heat.
9. Garnish with fresh cilantro (coriander) leaves.
10. Chana Masala is now ready to be served.

Serve hot with steamed rice, roti, or naan.

Please note that the calorie information provided is an approximate estimate and may vary based on the specific ingredients and cooking methods used.