CHANNA (CURRIED CHICKPEA FILLING FOR ROTI)

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Channa (Curried Chickpea Filling for Roti) image

The roti, the delectable, fat, folded-up curry sandwich that is Indian Trinidad's main contribution to world cuisine, is a thoroughly creole invention that has no equivalent in India. (The word roti, in India, describes a kind of griddle bread.) Trinidad's roti begins with an enormous, almost pizza-sized flat bread that's often layered with a thin coating of powdery ground yellow peas. In Trinidad's top roti shops along El Socorro and the Eastern Main Road, the bread is slapped on the griddle when you order; you can watch it hiss and bubble as you wait. Then it's tucked like a blanket around a meat, fish or vegetable curry, wrapped in wax paper and foil, and the hot square package placed in a paper bag with a stack of napkins.

Provided by Daisann Mclane

Categories     side dish

Time 45m

Yield Filling for 4 rotis

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tablespoon vegetable oil or ghee
2 large onions, chopped
4 to 5 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon curry powder (preferably Turban or Indi brand)
1 heaping teaspoon amchar powder (available in West Indian markets, such as Kalpana Indian and International Groceries at 2528 Broadway in Manhattan)
1 16-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed well
1/2 Scotch bonnet pepper
Salt to taste

Steps:

  • Heat the oil or ghee in a skillet and saute the onions over medium high heat, stirring constantly, for about 6 minutes, or until they are golden brown. When the onions are almost done, add the garlic and saute 2 minutes more. Add the curry and amchar powders and stir for 1 minute.
  • Transfer the onion mixture to a cast iron or other heavy pot and add the chickpeas. Stir over medium heat until chickpeas are coated with the spices and onions. Add 1 cup of water, the Scotch bonnet pepper and salt to taste; stir. Bring to a simmer, cover and let simmer over low heat for 1/2 hour. (If the mixture dries out, add a little more water; the finished channa should be slightly thicker than a thick bean soup.) Let cool for a few minutes before adding to the roti.

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