Best Chana Masala Bonappetit Recipes

CHANA MASALA CHEESE FRIES

Chana Masala Cheese Fries image

These sheet pan chana masala fries hit on all levels. This spin on chana masala leans toward vegetarian chili, with a heavy dose of tomatoes.

Provided by Asha Loupy

Time 1h15m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 25

Ingredients

2 tsp. coriander seeds or 1 tsp. ground coriander
2 tsp. cumin seeds or 1½ tsp. ground cumin
1½ tsp. garam masala
1½ tsp. Kashmiri chile powder or other red chile powder
1 tsp. ground turmeric
3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1 tsp. Morton kosher salt, divided
1-2 serrano chiles, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 1" piece ginger, peeled, finely chopped
2 15-oz. cans chickpeas, rinsed
1 14-oz. can crushed tomatoes
3 large sweet potatoes (about 1¾ lb.), scrubbed, cut lengthwise into ½" wedges
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt
1 serrano chile, coarsely chopped
1 garlic clove
Zest and juice of 1 lime
1 cup mint leaves
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt
3 cups cilantro leaves with tender stems, plus chopped for serving
8 oz. Monterey Jack, Colby cheese, or low-moisture mozzarella, coarsely grated
Thinly sliced red onion and plain yogurt (for serving)

Steps:

If using whole spices, finely grind coriander and cumin in a spice mill. Combine coriander, cumin, garam masala, chile powder, and turmeric in a small bowl.
Heat oil in a large pot over medium. Add onion and ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and softened, 8-10 minutes. Stir in serrano chiles (add up to 2 depending on your heat preference and how spicy your chiles are), garlic, and ginger and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add spice mixture and remaining 1½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¾ tsp. Morton kosher salt and cook, stirring, 1 minute (be careful not to burn spices).
Add chickpeas, tomatoes, and 1½ cups water to pot and stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and cover pot. Cook until slightly thickened, 20-25 minutes. Uncover and mash about one third of chickpeas with a potato masher or fork. Continue to cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until chana masala is thick but spoonable, 8-10 minutes more. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm.
While the chana masala is cooking, preheat oven to 450°. Place sweet potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with oil, and season with salt. Toss to coat. Spread out in a single layer and roast, turning halfway through, until tender and browned in spots, 25-30 minutes. Set sweet potato fries aside; leave oven on.
Purée serrano chile, garlic, lime zest and juice, mint, oil, salt, and 3 cups cilantro in a blender, adding water a tablespoonful at a time if needed to thin, until chutney is smooth and pourable.
Sprinkle two thirds of cheese over reserved sweet potato fries, then spoon a generous layer of chana masala over. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Return fries to oven and bake until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
To serve, drizzle half of chutney over fries and top with red onion and chopped cilantro. Serve with yogurt and remaining chutney alongside.

CHANA MASALA

Chana Masala image

This simplified version of an Indian favorite is a delightful way to showcase tasty chickpeas.

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
Two 15-to 16-ounce cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 to 2 teaspoons garam masala or good-quality curry powder
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoons grated fresh or jarred ginger
2 large tomatoes, diced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro, or to taste
Salt to taste
Hot cooked grain (rice, quinoa, or couscous), optional

Steps:

Heat the oil in a wide skillet. Add the onion and sauté until translucent. Add the garlic and continue to sauté until the onion is golden.
Add the chickpeas, garam masala, turmeric, ginger, tomatoes, lemon juice, and about 1/4 cup water. Bring to a simmer, then cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. This should be moist and stewlike, but not soupy; add a little more water, if needed.
Stir in the cilantro and season with salt. Serve on its own in shallow bowls or over a hot cooked grain, if desired.
Omit the option of a plain cooked grain; see the menu with Curried Cashew Couscous (page 93).
If you choose to serve this with a plain cooked grain, as suggested in the recipe, complete the meal with fresh flatbread and Fruitful Red Slaw (page 177).
If time allows, make Apricot Chutney (page 225) as an accompaniment with any menu.
Calories: 320
Total Fat: 6g
Protein: 12g
Carbohydrates: 56g
Fiber: 6g
Sodium: 645mg