    This is my mom’s recipe, who is a great cook. This flavorful chickpeas rice is highly nutritious because of its high in protein and fiber. Enjoy this yummy, healthy, one pot meal either for lunch or dinner.

   Ingredients

         2/3 Cup of Soaked and Boiled Chick Peas / Channa
         1 Cup of Basmati Rice
         1 Large Onion, chopped
         2 Roma Tomatoes, Chopped
         2 Garlic Cloves
         3/4 Tsp of Ginger Garlic Paste
   2 Tsp of Coriander Powder
   1/2 Tsp of Red Chilly Powder
   3/4 Tsp of Garam Masala
   1 Cup of Coconut Milk
   1/2 Cup of Water
   Salt to taste

   To Grind

2 Green Chillies
Few Sprigs of Mint Leaves

   To Temper

1 Tbsp of Ghee
2 Cloves
1 Cinnamon Stick
1-2 Cardamom
          1 Bay Leaves
          Few Curry Leaves

   To Garnish

Few Cilantro Leaves

   Method

Soak chick peas in salt water for overnight. Next day, wash it in cold water and Pressure cook for 8-10 whistles and then switch off the stove.
In a blender, grind green chillies and mint, to a paste. keep it aside.
Heat ghee in a cooker, add all the ingredients below “To Temper” one by one, fry for a min.
Add chopped onion and salt, fry for 1-2 mins until it turns golden brown.
Add garlic cloves and ginger garlic paste, fry until raw smell vanishes.
Add tomatoes, ground paste, coriander, red chilly powder and garam masala, fry for a 1-2 mins.
Add boiled chick peas, mix well with masala.
Add required coconut milk and water, mix well and check the salt. Cover the cooker with a lid and pressure cook for 1 whistles. Turn off the stove.
Garnish with cilantro.
Hot chick peas or Channa Pulao is ready to serve with raita.

Tips

Rice and water ratio is 1: 1.5 cups of water or coconut milk.
For extra tangy taste, add few drops of lemon juice at the end.
Ginger garlic paste is more sufficient for this rice. Adding garlic cloves is optional.
You can throw green chillies and mint, directly to oil, instead of grinding.

Health Benefits of ChickPeas

High in fiber and protein.
Low in glycemic index.
Reduce the risk of Heart disease.

sending recipe to gayathri cook spot and WTML march 2013

Channa Rice / Chickpeas Pulao / Sundal Biryani