Chickpeas (Kabli/ Kavli Chana) in Red Coconut Curry

 Here I have come back with one another Chickpeas (kabli chana) recipe. I have always kept a safe distance from the red chillies as my mom had told me that red chilly creates trouble for the stomach. But this recipe seems so tempting that I can't help but going against her...sorry Mom.

Without uttering a single word , lets start with the ingredients :

1. Scraped coconut- 3/4 cup
2. Coriander seed- 1 tsp
3. Dry red chilly- 4 to 5
4. Garlic- 5 to 7 cloves
5. Ginger- 1/2 inch
6. Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
7. Hing powder (asafoetida)- 1/4 tsp
8. Chickpeas- 1 bowl
9. Turmeric paste- 1/2 tsp
10. Lemon juice- 1/2 tsp
11. Salt to taste
12. Cumin powder (Jeera powder)- 1/4 tsp
13. Garam Masala- 1 pinch
14. Oil
15. Kasuri methi (dry)- 1 tsp
16. Curry leaf (fried)- 7 to 8


Procedure :

Soak the chickpeas in water for one night and next day cook it in a pressure cooker (add a little salt to the water) until 5 whistles. Meanwhile blend red chillies , coriander seed , garlic , ginger properly. If needed add a little water so that no large substance remains there. Mix this with the scrapped coconut.

Now heat 2 tbs oil in a non-stick kadhayi and add this coconut mixture. Let it cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Stir occasionally. If it starts sticking to the base , add a little oil. When you will get a roasted aroma of the coconut and chilly , add very little water to it. This will collect all the spices that have been sticking to the kadhayi.

Add the kasuri methi and the garam masala. Now for garam masala I always prefer a freshly prepared one , because of its aroma. Add turmeric , cumin powder , hing and salt. Roast this for one more minute and add 1 cup of water to it. Add the boiled chickpeas , tamarind paste and fried curry leaves.

                                            

Cover the lid. Cook it over low flame. Before removing it from the flame add lemon juice , a green chilly and few coriander leaves. 

This post goes to Kerala Kitchen for this month's event which is hosted by Magpie of Magpie Recipes. As chickpeas are a great source of protein , hence I am sending this to Cook it healthy event organized by Sobha.