Easy Chana Aloo
Jun 19, 2018, Updated Oct 23, 2018
Easy Chickpea and Potato curry which gets done in 30 minutes! This Chana Aloo is best enjoyed over white rice with some onions on the side. Vegan & gluten-free.
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Easy Chana Aloo Curry gets done in 30 minutes and is the perfect meal for those busy days!
This chickpea and potato curry is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and is best served with rice.
This post is sponsored by Circulon. All opinions expressed are my own.
As the rush of a new week begins, we all look forward to easy and quick recipes. We all like to eat better (well most of the time) but struggle with the time constraints. And I get that, because in spite of being a food blogger, I struggle with this too.
There are days when I literally have 30 minutes to put food on the table (or else we eat out!) and on those days, I rely back on my easy Indian recipes. Ever since I started cooking myself, I have adapted several of my favorite Indian recipes to make them easier and quicker for busy days.
One such meal that I make pretty often on those busy nights is this Easy Chana Aloo. I serve it over white rice in a bowl with some sliced onions on the side to make a complete meal. Don’t you love the convenience of these “meal-in-a-bowl” recipes!
Traditionally, this curry uses raw chickpeas which are soaked overnight and then cooked for good 25-30 minutes until really softened.
In this easy version, I use canned chickpeas to speed up the process. What also helps to put this curry together in no time is my new Circulon Elementum Cookware!
Elementum is Circulon’s latest hard-anodized, PFOA-free nonstick cookware collection with dual-riveted stainless steel/silicone grip handles. It comes in a beautiful Oyster Gray color and is now available at your local Macy’s!
A few key points about Circulon Elementum Cookware and why I love it so much in my everyday cooking!
- Suitable for all stovetops except induction
- Made from hard-anodized aluminum for even-heating
- Metal utensil safe, PFOA-free nonstick inside and out for easy cleanup
- Lasts 10 times longer than traditional nonstick coatings
- Lifetime guarantee!
And now to the best part. Thanks to my friends at Circulon, one of you can WIN this Circulon Elementum Cookware 10-Piece Set!
All you have to do is enter the GIVEAWAY below by following the instructions in the widget. I am so excited for this giveaway and can’t wait for one of you to win it!
I used the 3 Qt. Covered Saute to make this Chana Aloo Curry. This generously sized pan made it easy for me to make enough curry for us to last few days. Yay for meal prep!
This Chana Aloo Curry
✓ is vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free
✓ one-pot meal which is perfect for busy days!
✓ great for meal-prep
✓ also great to pack in your lunch box
✓ served over rice in a bowl for that complete “meal-in-a-bowl” experience
✓ tastes even better the next day!
Few tips on making this Chana Aloo
Remember to chop the potatoes small, preferably in ½ inch cubes or less, else they will take a lot of time to cook completely.
Adjust spice levels to taste. If you do not have all these spices, simply use a tablespoon or two of curry powder with some smoked paprika and it would still be great. I don’t like too much heat in my food hence I have used little cayenne pepper here, you can add as much as you like.
I have used canned diced tomatoes here to cut short the process. But you can use 2-3 regular tomatoes in place. Just chop them fine or puree and then use in the recipe.
I served this curry over white rice but you may eat it with brown rice, quinoa or any other grain of choice.
Hope you guys like this Easy Chana Aloo recipe! Please tag me on social media using the hashtag #cookwithmanali if you happen to make it. I love seeing all your pictures. And don’t forget to participate in the giveaway, generously sponsored by Circulon!
and now let’s see how easy it really is to make this Chana Aloo!
Method
1- Heat oil in Circulon Elementum 3 Qt. Covered Saute Pan on medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the bay leaf, cardamom pods, cloves and cumin seeds. Saute for few seconds until the cumin seeds sizzle and the spices are fragrant.
2- Add the chopped onion, garlic and ginger and cook for 4-5 minutes until the onions turn light golden brown in color.
3- Then add in a can of diced tomatoes and stir well.
4- Add the spices- coriander powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper and stir. Also add the salt, mix well and let it all cook for 3-4 minutes.
5- Add in the chickpeas and cubed potatoes. Mix well until the chickpeas and the potatoes are coated with the masala.
6- Add 1.5 to 2 cups of water to the pan and stir.
7- Close the pan with its lid and let the curry cook on medium heat for around 12 to 15 minutes until the potatoes are cooked and the curry thickens up.
8- Once the curry is done, add in the cilantro and the lime juice and mix.
Serve chana aloo over rice for a comforting meal!
If you’ve tried this Easy Chana Aloo Recipe then don’t forget to rate the recipe! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter to see what’s latest in my kitchen!
GIVEAWAY
Exciting news! One of you can WIN Elementum 10-Pc. Hard-Anodized Non-Stick Cookware Set from Circulon worth $324.99!! This giveaway runs for 1 week and is open to US Residents ONLY! Good luck!
Easy Chana Aloo
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil I used avocado oil
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 green cardamom pods
- 2 whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 large onion 200 grams, finely chopped
- 3-4 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 inch ginger finely chopped
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to taste
- 3/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 30 oz can chickpeas 850 grams/2 x 15 oz
- 1 large potato 320 grams, cut into 1/2" cubes, around 1.5 cups cubed potatoes
- 1.5-2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons cilantro plus more to garnish
- juice of 1/2 lime
Instructions
- Heat oil in a Circulon Elementum 3 Qt. Covered Saute Pan on medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the bay leaf, cardamom pods, cloves and cumin seeds. Saute for few seconds until the cumin seeds sizzle and the spices are fragrant.
- Add the chopped onion, garlic and ginger and cook for 4-5 minutes until the onions turn light golden brown in color.
- Then add in a can of diced tomatoes and stir well.
- Add the spices- coriander powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper and stir. Also add the salt, mix well and let it all cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Add in the chickpeas and cubed potatoes. Mix well until the chickpeas and the potatoes are coated with the masala.
- Add 1.5 to 2 cups of water to the pan and stir.
- Close the pan with its lid and let the curry cook on medium heat for around 12 to 15 minutes until the potatoes are cooked and the curry thickens up.
- Once the curry is done, add in the cilantro and the lime juice and mix.
- Serve chana aloo over rice for a comforting meal!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
