Chickpeas Gravy, garbanzo beans gravy, Bread and channa chat

This is one of my mom’s specialties. From school days, whenever I get channa masala for lunch,in no time my lunch will be over. Chickpeas/channa is very filling and nutritious dried beans. It can be eaten as a snack, appetizer or included in regular meals. This gravy goes well with bread , rotis, naans, pulav and an excellent combo for lemon rice.

Ingredients

Dried Chick peas (Garbanzo beans)- 1 cup
1-2 big Onion-finely chopped
2Tomato –chopped/1/2 cup crushed tomato
1Green chilli –chopped(optional)
1-2 tsp-Ginger garlic paste
1-Bay leaf
1 –clove ,star anise, cinnamon
1 tsp-Red chilli powder
1/4 tsp-Turmeric Powder
1 tsp -Coriander powder
½ tsp-Garam Masala Powder(optional)
½ tsp- cumin powder
3 tbsp -olive oil
1tsp- fresh/dried mint leaves (optional)
Salt to taste
Coriander leaves for garnishing

Directions

Soak chickpeas in water overnight or at least 4hrs.
Heat some oil in the pressure cooker and add the masala(bay leaf, clove,cinnamon,star anise).
Add the finely chopped onions and keep stirring for 5-10 mins on medium flame , till its turns golden brown( don’t skip this step else the gravy will not have that distinct flavor and thick consistency)
Add the ginger garlic paste and keep stirring for 1-2 mins, till the raw smell goes.
Now add the chopped tomatoes and keep stirring till it gets soft.
Add red chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, mint and salt and mix well.
Add the soaked chickpeas to this along with its soaked water (1-2 cups) enough water to make gravy.
Close the pressure cookers with its weight on and in medium-low flame .Allow it to cook for 2-5 whistles, depending on the quality of the chickpeas.
Once the pressure is released, open the cooker and add the cumin powder and garam masala .
If the gravy is not thick enough, cook for another 5 mins or tills it gets thick enough.
Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and onions, and serve it hot with toasted bread , naan, rotis or rice.

Benefits of Chickpeas

They are a very good source of folic acid,fiber,and manganese.
As a good source of fiber, garbanzo beans can help lower cholesterol and improve blood sugar levels. This makes them a great food especially for diabetics and insulin-resistant individuals.
Chickpeas are an extremely-low-fat, complete protein food.
They can increase your energy by helping to replenish your iron stores. Particularly for women, who are more at risk for iron deficiency, boosting iron stores with garbanzos is a good idea.