Kadala curry or Kala chana curry Or Black chickpea curry

Preparation time : 30 mins
Serves : 4

Ingredients :

Black chickpeas : 3/4 cup
Water : 2.5 cups for soaking chickpeas
For masala :
Fennel seeds : 1/2 tsp
Stands of mace : 2 to 3 (Javitri)
Cinnamon : 1 inch
Cloves : 3
Grated nugmeg : 3 pinches
For coconut paste :
Grated coconut : 1/2 cup
Water : 1/4 cup
Other ingredients :
Chopped shallots : 1/3 cup
Ginger : 1/2 inch or 1 tsp chopped
Chopped Green chilis : 1 tsp
Curry leaves : 10 to 12
Mustard seeds : 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder : 1/4 tsp
Red chili powder : 1 tsp
Coriander powder : 1 tsp
Black pepper powder : 1/4 tsp
Coconut oil : 2 Tbsp
Water : 1 to 1.25 cups (You can use the water in which you cooked peas)
Salt : as required

Method :

Rinse and soak black peas in water for 8 to 9 hours or over night.
Add peas along with water to pressure cooker.
Add 1/2 tsp salt.
Stir and pressure cook for 3 whistles or till they are tender and cooked through.
Keep it aside.
Take coconut into mixie jar add 1/4 to 1/3 cup of water and grind to a smooth paste. Keep it aside.
Prepare the Kerala garam masala :
In a small pan, dry roast the fallowing spices till aromatic - fennel, mace, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg.
Just a light roasting. don't over do.
In a  mixie add these and make a semi to fine powder and keep it aside.
Now,
Take a pan, heat it , add coconut oil.
Add mustard seeds, when crackle add chopped shallots. Stir and saute for a minute.
Then add red chili powder, coriander powder, black pepper powder and the ground Kerala garam masala.
Stir the masalas very well and saute for a minute on low flame.
Then add the ground coconut paste.
Stir very well.
Saute for 4 to 5 minutes on a low flame.
Then add the cooked black chana. Stir very well.
Then add 1 to 1.25 cups water and stir.
Season with the required amount of salt and stir again.
Let the curry come to a boil and the gravy reduces a bit. The flavors and chickpeas should also be well blended.
Serve kadala curry or the kala chana curry with hot puttu or appams / steamed rice / roti or naan.
Enjoy your dish :)
Thank you, do post your comments !!!