While I have used soaked and pressure-cooked green chana for this Chana Pulao, you can use the regular kala chana (black chana) or the white chickpeas or Kabuli chana. Also, I swear by Badshah Kitchen King Masala to pep up a North Indian dish and this pulao uses it too. You can substitute with your own favourite garam masala powder. Sidenote: One of these days, I will figure out the ingredients in Kitchen King Masala and make it at home. I love that spice mix, so wait up for some homemade Kitchen King Masala soon!
Ingredients: 2 cups of cooked rice 1/2 cup of chana, soaked and pressure cooked 1 large onion, sliced 1 tomato, cubed 1 piece of cinnamon 3-4 cloves 1 bay leaf, torn 2-3 dry red chillies, halved 1 tbsp of ghee or oil 2 tsp of salt 1 small bunch of fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves 1 tsp of Kitchen King Masala (or any garam masala)
How to Make Chana Pulao:
Heat the ghee or oil in a pan and add the sliced onion. When it turns a golden brown, add the cloves, cinnamon stick, chillies, and bay leaf Fry for another 2 mins and add the tomato, chana along with the water it cooked in, and masala. Stir and cook for another 3-4 mins until the tomatoes begin to turn mushy and the water has reduced almost entirely Add the cooked rice and salt. Mix well to combine. Turn off flame, garish with chopped coriander, and serve hot with papad and raita.
Step by Step Pictures for Making Channa Pulao:
- Heat ghee, add onions and fry until golden. Add the spices – cinnamon, cloves, bay leaf, chillies – and mix well. Then add the chana along with water it cooked in and tomato. Mix well.
- When the water has cooked down add the masala. Mix well.
- Add the rice and salt. Mix to combine.
- Garnish with chopped coriander leaves
- Serve hot with papad and a cooling cucumber raita.
