That Tastes Like Channa Masala!

Tonight I set out to make a curry (again, I know) to use up some of the hardy winter veggies I have accumulated lately. When I was done, I gave it a taste and was surprised to have recreated the first Indian sauce I had ever had, completely by accident.

So, tonight's Kismet was truly an accident. Hope you enjoy it.

Yield: 6-8 entrees, 10-14 sides
Time: 90 minutes

Ingredients:
vegetable oil

Masala 1 - all measurements are 'heaping' ('masala' means mixture)
1 T turmeric
1 T cumin
1 T cayenne
1 dried red chili pepper, chopped

1.5 large yellow onions, diced (3 cups)
2 inches of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
8 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced (volume should match ginger)

Masala 2
2 t cinnamon
1 T coriander
10 green cardamom pods, seeds only
1 t fennel seeds
2 mild green chilis like poblano or banana

1 14.5 oz fire roasted chopped tomatoes
2 c broth, or water
s&p to taste
4 14.5 oz cans of chick peas, or 6 cups cooked chick peas

6 cups cooked basmati, jasmine or brown rice.

Method:

• In a large, heavy bottomed pot, heat 1 T of oil until just shimmering, remove from heat. Add Masala 1 and stir quickly and constantly to prevent spices from burning. Return pan to medium low heat and cook (stirring constantly) 3-5 minutes being careful not to burn.
• Add onions to pan, stirring to coat with spices. Cook over medium heat until soft, stirring often. Add ginger, garlic and Masala 2, cook over medium for 5-8 minutes, stirring often. Remember that your goal is to 'fry' the spices.
• Add tomatoes and 1 c of broth. Remove from heat and puree with immersion blender to the texture of catchup. Return to heat and simmer for 20-60 minutes, stirring often and adding liquid as necessary. Taste and adjust seasonings.
• Add chickpeas and heat through.
  
• Serve over warm rice as an entree or as a side dish to a main curry or biryani.

For a main dish, feel free to add anything to the pot...chicken, lamb, shrimp, cauliflower, peas, potatoes, eggplant, spinach. The dish is great alone or over rice, quinoa, lentils etc. Let me know what you like best!