Recipe: Chane Ki Tarkaari (Curried Chickpeas)

the appetizer:

Nepal's cuisine has been heavily influenced by climate as well as neighboring India. Typical meals include rice, lentils, pickles and curried vegetables.

Nepal

Chane Ki Tarkaari (Curried Chickpeas)

5 T. vegetable oil
2 medium-sized onions, peeled and minced
8 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 T. ground coriander
2 t. ground cumin
1/4 to 1/2 t. ground cayenne pepper
1 t. turmeric
6 T. finely chopped, skinned fresh, or canned red-ripe tomatoes
4-1/4 C. chickpeas, drained
2 t. ground roasted cumin seeds
1 T. ground amchoor
2 t. sweet paprika
1 t. garam masala
1/2 t. sea salt (or to taste)
1 T. fresh lemon juice
1 fresh green chili, minced (add to taste)
2 t. finely grated fresh ginger

1. Heat the oil in a wide pot over a medium flame. When hot, put in the minced onions and garlic. Stir fry until the mixture is a rich medium-brown shade. Turn heat to medium-low and add the coriander and cumin (not the roasted cumin), cayenne, and turmeric. Stir for a few seconds.

2. Put in tomatoes. Stir and fry until tomatoes are well amalgamated with the spice mixture and lightly browned.

3. Add the drained chickpeas and 1 C. water. Stir. Add ground cumin, amchoor, paprika, garam masala, salt and lemon juice. Stir again. Cover, turn heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove cover and add minced green chili and grated ginger. Stir and cook, uncovered for another 30 seconds.

Note: Oil can be reduced to 2 T. It is possible to omit the amchoor and not affect the recipe.