Re: channa masala!
Binte Naeem.. yep I got a recipe similar to that so I am going to try that soon(during the holiday week) will keep everyone posted!
Gina.. good idea, I may incorporate this in there too!
Maheen.. trust me I have tried all the recipes available online but nopse they didn't turn out perfect.. I guess soda it is.. will try that soon!
Re: channa masala!
We'll wait. Good luck :)
Re: channa masala!
yes - try and let us know with the recipe plz!
Re: channa masala!
so I mixed and matched some recipes here and it tutned out A M A Z I N G!!!!
yep the trick is soda bicarbonate and for teh color tea bags work wonder! I forgot to take pics but they looked and tasted just the same as we find them at the restaurants!! Thanks everyone! :-)
Re: channa masala!
good that u found perfect recipe. why dont u share yur mix and match recipe.
Re: channa masala!
well I wanted to but I didn't have much time at that moment.. so I think this is what I did
Soaked 1 cup kabuli channa overnight with a spoonful of soda bicarbonate and 1 tsp of salt.
In the morning, I drained and washed the chickpeas and boiled them in about 5 cups of water and 1 tsp of soda bicarbonate!I also added two black tea bags and 3 bari ilaichi (as niksik suggested) After about 15-20 mins, the chick peas were soft n the water was all black.. I drained the water and let the chick peas sit aside
I used the blender to make onion paste.
Added oil and onion in a big pot.. once it started to change color, I added salt, pepper, corriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder.. added the chickpeas in there.. cook for couple of minutes.. then made a paste of 2 tomatoes and added that as well with 1 cup of water.. cover and let it simmer on low heat.. After about 10 mins, I added garam masala and cooked it on low flame without the cover for additional 10-15 mins!
I had a great mixture of thick gravy with mushy chickpeas.. didn't even have to crush them with spatula or anything.. thats how soft they were!
I guess thats all.. soda bicarbonate is the key ingredient!
Re: channa masala!
I wish you had taken pictures!
Re: channa masala!
^ I know I always take pics even if I fry an egg but for this one since the camera was in the car and it was too cold outside I didn't bother going out and then totally forgot about it!
Re: channa masala!
^ kabuli channa = black ones?
Re: channa masala!
nopse white chickpeas.. teh packet said kabuli channa!
Re: channa masala!
Yay. I am glad you finally got it. I might be doing a get together for 35 people soon & instead of making Chikar Cholay I'll try the recipe you posted :)
Re: channa masala!
What is the purpose of the soda bicarbonate? Some people say it makes them softer but that can be achieved through soaking and pressure cooking anyways. Also I've seen it mentioned that you have to be careful to make sure the soda doesn't give them a bitter taste?
Re: channa masala!
I learnt that the hard way :hinna:
i think the baking soda is used when u didnt have enough time to soak it and/or don’thave a pressure cooker
Re: channa masala!
^ so then adding the soda isn't the key to getting your chana masala to taste like the restaurants?