Trinidad-Style Curried Channa Recipe

By Stephanie Lang, MS, RDN, CDN
Updated November 25, 2018
Medically reviewed by Richard N. Fogoros, MD on March 10, 2017
Trinidad Style Curried Chana with rice on a plate
Stephanie Lang
Total Time: 75 min
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 60 min
Servings: 6 (1 cup each)

Nutrition Highlights (per serving)

231 calories
6g fat
36g carbs
11g protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 (1 cup each)
Amount per serving  
Calories 231
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g 8%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 268mg 12%
Total Carbohydrate 36g 13%
Dietary Fiber 10g 36%
Total Sugars 7g  
Includes 0g Added Sugars 0%
Protein 11g  
Vitamin D 0mcg 0%
Calcium 67mg 5%
Iron 3mg 17%
Potassium 393mg 8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.

A diet rich in plant-based foods may play a role in reducing ​the risk of cancer. Aim to make at least two of the meals you eat each day from plant-based sources like beans and legumes, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

This plant-based chickpea recipe is full of flavor and heat from the sliced onions and hot chile plus it contains a colorful spice blend of curry powder, cumin, and turmeric. So many cuisines from around the world feature vegetarian, plant-based dishes that are both tasty and nutritious, so get creative with your cooking and try recipes from different cultures.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups chickpeas (either cooked from 2 cups dried chickpeas or from 2 15-oz cans, drained and rinsed)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion (yellow)
  • 3 medium garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 small serrano chile (membranes and seeds discarded, minced)
  • 3 teaspoons curry powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon methi (fenugreek)
  • 1 1/4 cups water (or chickpea cooking liquid, or broth, divided)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro (chopped)

Preparation

  1. If cooking chickpeas from dried beans, soak the beans overnight, drain, and place in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and simmer until tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Drain the chickpeas, reserving the cooking liquid. If using canned chickpeas, drain and rinse the beans and set aside.

  2. Wipe out the same large pot you used to cook the chickpeas. Heat olive oil in the pot over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes.

  3. Add the garlic and serrano chile and cook another 2 to 3 minutes, until fragrant.

  4. Add the curry powder, turmeric, cumin, and optional methi to the pot and stir for about 30 seconds.

  5. Add 1/4 cup water, chickpea cooking liquid, or broth to the pot and stir. Add the cooked chickpeas to the pot, cover, turn the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.

  6. Uncover the pot, add the remaining 1 cup liquid and the salt and simmer uncovered for another 20 minutes.

  7. Stir in the chopped cilantro. Serve with brown rice.

Ingredient Variations and Substitutions

Don't like spicy food or experiencing dry mouth? Omit the hot chile.

If you want to experiment with a new spice, try looking for methi, also known as fenugreek, which has been touted for its many health benefits, from aiding digestion to boosting heart health. The flavor is mild, but methi is a staple ingredient in many types of Indian-style curries and breads.

Cooking and Serving Tips

Cooking dried beans is cheap and relatively easy, it just takes time. The beans are best when soaked overnight in water, drained, and then simmered on the stovetop with fresh water for a few hours. Make a batch of beans and add any extras to salads or vegetable dishes during the week.

Beans cooked from dry also freeze well, so prepare a large amount and freeze the leftovers for another use. Frozen beans reheat in just 5 minutes when dropped into simmering liquid or heated on the stovetop.

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