37 - Aloo Chana Masala

So with 2 hyper active school going boys growing up in this household, I am always on the look out for easy and simple recipes. And that is how I came up with this one. Easy, yet flavorful.

Ingredients

1 large onion, chopped finely

1" piece ginger, chopped finely

4 cloves garlic, chopped finely

2-3 green chilies (or as per taste) , chopped 

1 cup tomato puree

2 large potatoes , peeled and cut into small squares

1 can of chickpeas, or 1/2 cup chickpeas soaked overnight and cooked 

1 handful coriander leaves, chopped

1 cup water

1 tsp cumin seeds

1/2" piece of cinnamon

1 bay leaf

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp chilly powder, or as per taste

2 tbsp oil

salt, to taste

Preparation

Heat the oil in a pan. Add the cumin seeds. Once they begin to splutter, add  the bay leaf and cinnamon. Then add the ginger, garlic and green chilies. Stir for a minute and then add the onions(keep a handful of chopped onions aside) to this. Cook till the onions turn brown. Once the onions begin to brown, add the turmeric, chilly powder and salt. Stir and mix for 2 minutes. Add the tomato puree to this and mix well. Cook this covered on low flame till the oil separates. Now add the potatoes and the water. Again cook covered on a low flame until the potatoes are cooked well, but not mushy. Stir occasionally. Add the chickpeas and mix well. Cook till you get the required consistency of gravy. Add the chopped coriander leaves and  the handful of chopped onions that you kept aside. Keep covered and switch off the flame. 

Serve hot with rotis, naan or parathas. Enjoy! :)