Chhole Masala (Channa)

Ingredients:

Chick Peas (2 cans or a cup of Raw chick peas)
1 and half medium size red onion - chopped (You can also use yellow onion. I prefer red)
2 medium size tomatoes - chopped
A small piece of ginger chopped to very small pieces (or) a tspoon of ginger paste
Salt to taste
Chilli powder to taste
A table spoon of Chhole Masala (I prefer Everest Masala to do North Indian dishes)
A bunch of cilantro leaves - chopped
Butter or Oil.

If using raw chick peas, soak it over night and cook it in a pressure cooker or by boiling it in a pan.

Method:
Heat Oil or butter in a Kadai (Pan).
Add 3/4th of the chopped onions and saute till the color changes and the raw smell is gone.
Keep the onions aside in a plate.
Saute tomatoes in the pan till the raw smell is gone.

Once they have cooled down, blend it with the ginger piece or paste and salt. You will not need to add water. If it is too thick, add a little water and blend.

Add this paste to the pan (in medium heat) and add the chick peas. Let it boil. Taste and see if you need to add more salt.
Add the chilli powder.

Take a small bowl of water (May be 1 or 2 table spoon) and add the chhole masala to it. Mix it well so there are no lumps.
After 4 or 5 minutes of boiling, add this masala paste to the pan and let it cook for another couple of minutes.
I add a little of masala paste at a time and taste to see if it needs more.

Remove from heat once cooked.

This goes well with almost all Indian breads (Roti/Poori/Parathas/Naan/Batura)

When serving, server with chopped cilantro, chopped onion and a piece of lemon.



Quick Version:
Many people prefer to do a quick version of this. For this, canned chick peas are the best.
Chop onions, tomatoes and ginger to very fine pieces.
Saute the onions first in a little oil or butter. Once it is done, add ginger and saute for a few minutes. Next add the tomatoes and saute. Once they all have cooked, add the chick peas. if necessary, add a little water.
Add seasoning (salt and chilli powder).
Finally add the masala mixed in a table spoon of water and cook everything in medium heat for a few minutes. taste to see if it needs anything else.