Butter Chana Masala

Ingredients

• 2 cans chickpeas (one can drained, one can with liquid)
• 2 red onions (medium, diced finely)
• 1 inch ginger (grated)
• 5 garlic cloves (medium, grated)
• fresh green chillies (to taste)
• 2 bay leaves (small)
• 2 cloves
• 6 green cardamoms
• 0.5 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp bassar masala or curry powder
• 1.5 tsp freshly ground coriander powder
• 1 tsp fresh ground cumin powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp kashmiri chilli powder
• 2 tbsp ghee
• 2 tbsp oil
• 2 tbsp tomato puree (heaped)
• 1 tsp chaat masala
• 1.5 tbsp kasuri methi
• 30 g butter
• 200 ml double cream
• 0.5 tsp honey
• 100 ml water (plus extra for splashes)

Steps

1. 1

   On medium-low heat, melt the ghee in a pan and add the whole spices (bay leaves, cloves, cardamoms, cumin seeds). Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

2. 2

   Add the onions, garlic, ginger, chillies, and salt. Sauté on medium heat for 5 minutes, add a splash of water, cover, and simmer for 6-8 minutes until the onions are soft and golden.

3. 3

   Turn heat to medium, add the ground spices and oil. Stir well, adding splashes of water as needed, and cook until the oil separates from the masala.

4. 4

   Stir in the tomato puree, adding more water if necessary, and continue cooking until the oil separates again.

5. 5

   Add one can of drained chickpeas and mix. Use a potato masher to roughly mash about 1/3 of the chickpeas directly in the pan.

6. 6

   Add the second can of chickpeas (including the liquid). Mix thoroughly, bring to a gentle boil, then cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes.

7. 7

   Uncover, increase heat to medium, stir in the chaat masala and kasuri methi, and cook for 1 minute.

8. 8

   Pour in the double cream and honey, mix well, then add the 100ml of water. Bring to a gentle boil, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Optional: You may remove the whole spices or blend the sauce before adding the chickpeas for a smoother texture. Serve hot with parathas.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• vegetarian
• curry
• indian
• comfort food
• stovetop