Kadala (chick pea) curry

Serves: 6
Course: Main Course
Cooking Time: 0 hr 30 mins
Ingredients
  • Serves 6
  • 6 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 3 tsp cumin seeds
  • 4 dried red chillies, slit, with seeds removed
  • 2 medium red onions, peeled and chopped
  • 25g fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
  • 8 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
  • One and a half tbsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • Three-quarters tsp chilli powder
  • One and a half tsp garam masala
  • Salt, to taste
  • 5 large tomatoes, chopped or puréed
  • 3 X 400g tins of chick peas, drained and rinsed in cold water
  • 250ml water
  • Handful of coriander leaves, chopped</li><li/></ul>

Heat the oil in a good-sized wok. When it is hot, add the cumin seeds and fry until they sizzle. Add the chillies and onions. Cook until nicely browned. Add ginger and garlic. Fry for about 2 minutes, until you get a cooked garlic aroma.

Add the powdered spices and salt. Stir for a minute or so. Add the tomatoes.

Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes, until the oil leaves the masala at the edges.

Add the chick peas and mix well with the masala. Cook for 2 minutes.

Add the water, bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes.

Garnish with coriander leaves.

For a milder and creamier version, let the curry cool a little, then add half of a 400ml can of coconut milk and re-heat gently.