Kala Chana Masala Recipe, How to make Black Chickpeas Curry Recipe | Punjabi Black Chana Masala

Punjabi Kala Chana Masala Recipe with step by step photos recipe - This is simple punjabi curry recipe which is very simple and easy to make. Kala chana, also known as 'Kale Chole' is an exotic Punjabi delicacy, which is cooked in onion and tomato based gravy with flavorful and aromatic Indian spices. 

The Kala chana curry is staple food at my home. Punjabi kala Chana Masala is a popular North Indian recipe. It is healthy side dish as well as easy to prepare.

It is ideally prepared for lunch with rice. Especially on Saturday and Tuesday. My mom said always make black chole on Saturday's it's a good sign, i always asked behind this reason but she said only it's black na so saturday is shani dev days(indian god) on that people wears black clothes, eat black things like black chickpeas and make daan(donation) on a this day.



This is our A to Z Recipe Challenge month, we completed our successfully 2 alphabets and this month is third one i.e "C" so i choose for c is "CHICKPEAS". 

Chickpeas has 2 varieties either black or white, I have already posted many white chickpeas varieties on my blog this time i took BLACK CHICKPEAS and sharing my family favourite and staple food at my home.

Black Chickpeas Nutritional Facts

Kala chana is an excellent source of protein.  One cup of cooked kala chana provides 15 grams of protein or 30% of the daily value, hence it a great addition to a vegetarian diet.  They are also low in fat and high in fiber providing 13 grams of dietary fiber, which is almost half the daily requirement. 

Black chickpeas are a rich source of protein and is excellent for growing up kids and people who are into sports or need lots of energy. This is good food for them.

An Indian chickpea stew, kala chana masala is a soaked and boiled chana cooked in a tomato-onion based spiced sauce, with chopped coriander leaves. 

This is our lunch on last saturday - I made this kala chana masala with aloo gobhi as a side accompaniment with roti, pickle, fresh salad and jeera rice

This side dish recipe can be served with hot roti, parathas and even butter naan. Mixed with rice, though, it becomes a soulful meal whose charms are hard to resist. It is one of the most popular recipe for buffets and get-together.

This side dish recipe can be served with hot roti, parathas, jeera rice, poori and even butter naan. 

 You can even try more curry recipes from my blog like
punjabi chole masala
paneer butter masala
kadi pakoda
aloo matar paneer

Ingredients:

Black Chickpeas/Kala Chana - 1 Cup
Roughly chopped Onion - 2 large
Roughly chopped Tomato - 2 Large + 1 small
Baking soda- a pinch
Ginger-Garlic Paste - 1 tsp
Red Chili powder - 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp
Salt - To Taste 
Oil - 3 tbsp
Fresh chopped Coriander Leaves - 2 tbsp (for garnishing)

For the masala :

Onion, chopped - 2 nos
Medium size tomatoes, chopped - 3-4 nos
Ginger-garlic paste - 1tsp
Green chillies - 2 nos (slit or julienned) [optional]

Preparation Method:

1. Wash and soak kala channa over night, keep soaked kala chana in fridge.
next day, pressure cook it with little salt, adding a pinch of baking soda and 4 cups of water to the pressure cooker, Close the cooker. As it starts steaming, turn down the heat to low flame and cook for approx. 25 to 30 min.

2. Turn off the heat and wait until all the steam has released before opening the pressure cooker. In another bowl, take boiled chickpeas and water from cooker and keep it aside. Don't throw the water we'll use this chole water later in curry process.
3. For making onion-tomato masala - In a mixer grinder, add finely chopped onion, tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste and green chillies(optional), grind it and make a thick paste, add 1 tbsp of water(if it is required). 

4. Heat oil in a cooker, add the above onion-tomato masala.

5. Add all above Indian spices except garam masala like chilli powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, salt and mix well, saute for a minute.
Mix well, cook masala on a low flame until oil separates. 

 6. Add cooked chana along with water, salt and bring it to boil. 
7. Add garam masala, 1 tbsp of chopped coriander leaves and simmer for 10 minutes or until gravy thick.

 8. Garnish with chopped coriander and serve. As you can see we had it with chapati along with some onion salad and aloo gobi on side. 

 PIN IT later for future use

  Happy Cooking & Enjoy !!

29 comments

  1. Priya IyerSeptember 6, 2018 at 11:19 PM

    This is an all-time favourite at our place! Your version looks absolutely scrumptious! :)

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  2. Jayeeta BasuSeptember 12, 2018 at 8:33 AM

    Many a time I prepared 'Chole' with white chickpeas at home......But never prepared Kala chana masala.....Your chickpeas are boiled perfectly and the thick gravy looks lip smacking.... :)

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  3. mildly indianSeptember 14, 2018 at 4:48 AM

    I love kalachanna. this masala combination is so inviting, jolly.

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  4. Priya SureshSeptember 15, 2018 at 1:06 PM

    SImply love how you have prepared this channa masala especially with black chickpeas. Lovely side dish for pooris or rotis.

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  5. Vidya NarayanSeptember 16, 2018 at 6:25 PM

    Kala chana and Jeera Rice is the perfect lunch option for me and I dont even require a side of vegetables. A salad and dahi would do just fine. Loved the gravy Jolly and your Mum is right about the Saturday rituals. Some food habits are associated so strongly with such things and its good we have elders to guide us to do the right thing. We dont have onion and garlic on Fridays.

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  6. CookwithRenuSeptember 17, 2018 at 7:27 AM

    Lovely share for the theme. This Kala Chana and some rice or with some garma garma roti, that is what I need now.

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  7. Sujata RoySeptember 17, 2018 at 7:48 AM

    Loved your kala chana. Looks so inviting. Perfectly thick spicy and delicious curry. Superb share.

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  8. Mayuri PatelSeptember 17, 2018 at 12:13 PM

    I Love making kala chana but usually make the curry Gujarati style. Love your style with onions and tomatoes, looks delicious. Another curry to add to my ever growing list.

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  9. Sandhya RamakrishnanSeptember 18, 2018 at 4:35 PM

    I am a big fan of kala chana and I would eat it any time of the day in any form. Love your beautiful clicks that brings back the kala chana to life. Wonderful recipe and all I need is a bowl of rice to eat with it.

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  10. UnknownSeptember 18, 2018 at 7:04 PM

    Kala chana looks so perfect, Love to have these with hot hot puris . Awesome share for the alphabet C

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  11. ShobhaSeptember 20, 2018 at 9:29 PM

    Delicious looking curry. Kala chana are so nutritious.I sometimes make a dry version also to serve as a snack.

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  12. Geetha PriyankaSeptember 23, 2018 at 7:26 AM

    Kala chana masala looks so scrumptious and lip smacking. Love your step by step clicks and instructions. Lovely share for the theme.

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  13. code2cookSeptember 24, 2018 at 4:23 PM

    This kala chana masala looking so inviting with sabji and roti. kala chana actually taste great with this preparation otherwise plain taste very blend. Loved it.

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  14. Malini's SpaceSeptember 25, 2018 at 11:31 PM

    This one is my go to gray when it comes to puttu, poori and roti. It's loaded with nutritional values. Your Kala Chana curry looks super delicious. Nice capture.

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  15. ArunaSeptember 26, 2018 at 8:00 AM

    Your Kala Chana Masala looks so rich and comforting. I love following traditions and this kala chana tradition even we follow.

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  16. veenaSeptember 30, 2018 at 8:03 AM

    Slurp slurp....I am drooling here. This looks so rich Jolly. Lovely share

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  17. ShobhaOctober 3, 2018 at 1:45 AM

    I love this curry.. even just boiled kala chana with vagar and spice powders make a yummy snack.

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  18. Soma MukherjeeOctober 3, 2018 at 5:52 AM

    The bowl of kala chana masala is so tempting can finish it off with some hot rotis and mukka maar ke pyaz.

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  19. spoonsofflavorOctober 3, 2018 at 8:00 AM

    Kala chana masala looks so delicious ! My all time favourite. Perfect side dish with roti. Lovely share !!

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  20. PadmaOctober 3, 2018 at 8:58 AM

    Kala chana masala looks so delicious and tempting...Pass me some rotis and I'm good to go...Yummy share!!

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  21. Lata LalaOctober 3, 2018 at 9:13 AM

    Kala chana curry is very nutritious. Yours look fantastic.

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  22. PavaniOctober 3, 2018 at 2:27 PM

    Kala chaana masala looks so delicious and thanks for explaining it in detail.

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  23. jayashreeOctober 4, 2018 at 12:24 AM

    Black chana is healthy and I keep making it often. Your version looks so delicious Jolly, all the dishes on menu sound good.

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  24. Poonam BachhavOctober 4, 2018 at 3:48 AM

    Kala chana masala looks so inviting Jolly. It is a fixed Saturday lunch menu at my place as my son loves it to the core. He loves it with hot puffed pooris. Lovely share for the theme.

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  25. Ritu TangriOctober 4, 2018 at 5:15 AM

    Kala chana is my fixed Saturday menu, still I never get bored of it. You have made it so well ki bhukh lg gyi :)

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  26. HayleyOctober 4, 2018 at 5:29 AM

    We gujju love to have kala channa nu saak as well, mostly on Friday. Packed with goodness and delicious. I have to make your version soon :)

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  27. SasmitaOctober 4, 2018 at 7:12 AM

    Loved this kala chana curry jolly !!! Looks so inviting :).Superb share......
    Perfectly thick and delicious curry.

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  28. NishaOctober 4, 2018 at 8:27 AM

    Kala channa is my favourite. This sounds so interesting and simple to make. Lovely share.

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  29. ArchanaOctober 4, 2018 at 2:11 PM

    Such a delicious kala chana Masala. I can eat it with jeera rice naan or plain old pav.

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