Chana Chaat
Chana Chaat is a healthy and delicious snack. I am using kala chana for this recipe. Kala chana looks like chickpeas, but brown in color. This is a delightfully sweet and tangy snack. Channa Chaat will also make a very enjoyable lunch box meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 people
Ingredients
- 1 cup kala chana
- 2 Tbsp oil (Canola, or vegetable oil)
- 1 Tbsp ginger (finely shredded)
- 1 Tbsp green chili (finely chopped)
- 1 Tbsp coriander powder (dhania)
- 1/4 cup tamarind pulp (this is available in India grocery store or you can make it at home soaking the tamarind and squeeze the pulp. But not the concentrated tamarind)
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black salt
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp roasted cumin seed powder (bhuna jeera)
- 1 cup potato (boiled peeled and cut in small pieces)
- 1/2 cup cucumber (chopped in small pieces)
- 1/2 cup tomatoes (chopped in small pieces)
For garnishing
- 1 Tbsp ginger (finely chopped)
- 1 Tbsp green chilies (finely chopped)
- 5-6 wedges of lemon
Method
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Wash and soak kala chana in approx. 4 cups of water, for at least 4 hours. The kala chana will double in volume after soaking.
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In pressure cooker cook kala chana with 2 cups of water over medium high heat. As pressure cooker starts steaming turn the heat down to low medium and cook for about 15 minutes. Close the heat and wait until steam has stopped before opening the pressure cooker. Chana should be soft and tender.
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Drain the water and save it for later use, this water is high in protein and can be used for making the soup or dals.
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Heat the oil in a sauce pan over medium high heat. Add the chana, stir for few seconds. Add ginger and green chili, coriander powder, sauté for about 1 minutes.
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Add salt, black salt, red chili powder, and sugar, add tamarind pulp. Cook for 3-4 minutes over low heat. If needed use few spoons of water, Chana mix should be moist. Turn off the heat.
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Assemble the Kala Chana Chaat, add chopped potatoes, tomatoes, and cucumber, drizzle the roasted cumin seeds powder and mix it well. If desired garnish with sliced ginger, green chilies and drizzle the lemon juice.
Recipe Notes
Prep Time of 10 minutes does not include soaking time.
Suggestions
You can serve chana chaat without adding the veggies, it tastes delicious. You can always adjust quantity of veggies to your choice. Also adjust the green chili and red pepper to your choice. After spicing the chana mix with cooked plain rice to make spicy delicious meal.
I want to try making this but we don’t own a pressure cooker. Is there a way to cook the chana without the pressure cooker? I love trying out your recipes! They taste amazing!
Meagan, you can cook chana in slow cooker or over the stove it will take longer.
I tried this dish this Raksha Bandhan, it was awesome.
That looks so heavenly and sound however something missing. You could add green coriander to improve the taste.
Much appreciated.
Albert, sounds good
That looks so delicious and healthy but something missing. You could add green coriander to enhance the taste.
Thanks.
This looks delicious! You forget sometimes how healthy Indian dishes can be! Thanks for posting.
Looks delicious! I think it would also make a nice Indian-style fried rice (maybe with a bit more tamarind and sugar because you have to coat the rice too). Just cook as it is and then add some leftover rice and stir-fry everything with more tamarind (at least I think…).
Didina, Thank you. sounds good
I forgot about one of my favorite snacks. Thank you for sharing this healthy recipe! I cannot wait to make it!