In celebration of “successfully” completing last week, which included: tests, tests, exams, and culminated with the SAT, I decided to go all out on my stomach and make my most favorite dish of all time. I though it would be nice too for my GF Anniversary that was coming up and a nice addition to the tests I have been putting my stomach through. Even though this is my favorite dish, it is just so dangerous to eat with my stomach. Tomatoes, spices, and beans. But when in Rome India, just go for it. And having a dish like this once in awhile, especially since my stomach has seemed to have gotten stronger, was totally worth it. And finally, Indian food is the best celebration food in my opinion. The smells, colors, flavors…o everything about it; my favorite cuisine!
Chana Masala is so easy to make on your own. The spices are the only thing you get fancy with, otherwise I just use three ingredients. Chickpeas, Tomatoes, and Spinach! If you have never had Chana Masala…I don’t know if we can still be friends. Well I take that back. After you see the recipe, I know you will make it ASAP if you have never had Chana Masala, so we are all good here. Now without further adieu, my #1 favorite dish of all time. If you ever want to make my day and have me love you forever, just make me some Chana Masala ๐
Chana Masala
(My food photos are getting more creative, right? Haha!)
Ingredients: (serves 4)
+ 1 Cup of Dried Chickpeas (soaked overnight and cooked, I put them through one cycle of my rice cooker with a bay leaf.) This makes about 2 1/2 heaping cups of cooked chickpeas.
+ 1 and 1/2 15oz Cans of No-Salt Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes
+ 4 to 5 Cups of Baby Spinach
+ 1/4 Cup Water
+ 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
+ 1 1/2 Tsp Onion Powder
+ 1/2 Tsp Ginger
+ 1/2 Tsp Coriander
+ 1 Tsp Cumin
+ 1 1/2 Tsp Turmeric
+ 1 TB of Garam Masala
+ 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper
+ 1 Tsp Paprika
+ 1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
+ 1 TB Dried Parsley
Directions:
+ Gather all you ingredients and put everything into a very large saute pan and stir. On the stove, heat the pan (covered) on high for 5 minutes, then reduce to a medium heat and cook for 20 to 25 minutes.
+ Taste and adjust seasoning to your preference, stir everything around and done! See I told you it was easy.
+ I served mine with a nice warmed brown rice tortilla, but some GF Naan or rice would be lovely as well!
Did I mention that this is a perfect cozy Fall/Winter dish as well? No, well it is! It will warm you from the inside out and make your day that much better ๐ Happy WIAW, Allergy-Free Wednesday and Ricki’s Wellness Weekend! Do me a favor and go out and make yourself some Chana Masala tonight! ๐
So tell me:
Favorite Indian dish? If its not Chana Masala, that’s okay. Pretty much all Indian food is awesome.
Do you like to make your dishes super spicy or more on the mellow side? If you want this to be really spicy, feel free to add in some Cayenne!
What is you go-to celebration meal?
***Today is the last day to enter my ENERGYbits Giveaway! Go enter, it’s really easy!***