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    You are here: Home / Entrees / Veggie Chana Masala

    LAST UPDATED: January 21, 2022 • FIRST PUBLISHED: February 4, 2015

    Veggie Chana Masala

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe


    This spicy chana masala is made with fresh veggies simmered with chickpeas in a spicy curried tomato sauce.

    chana_masala_veggies_featured

    One of the first Indian restaurants I ever ate at had a menu item called the "Vegetable Curry Platter." Basically, they covered a plate with a layer of basmati rice, then put a scoop of every vegetarian menu item on top. It was my favorite meal, and I ate it over and over and over. It's hard to get sick of something that includes everything.

    So I was a little disappointed when I finally started branching out and visiting other Indian dining establishments. "What do you mean I have to pick one thing? Can't I have a little bit of everything? Let's make a deal. How about two things?"

    Menu items like chana masala can be particularly difficult. On the one hand, chana masala is delicious. On the other hand, it's all chickpeas. It's for this reason that I decided to create my own chana masala, and throw in a bunch of other stuff.

    chana_masala_veggies top_portrait


    Okay, I might have hit a point where what I created is no longer considered chana masala, but more of a mixed vegetable curry with chickpeas. I'm okay with that. It tastes like chana masala, but with added colors and textures, which is what I really wanted all along.

    I'll admit, I'm still tempted to whip up a half-dozen other curries, and throw them all on a plate with this one. That would be some serious work though (I've got a new respect for that champion of a cook at my old favorite Indian place). Maybe some day I'll have an Indian dinner party where I do just that. For a weeknight though, this dish with some rice or naan is plenty of variety for me, and it all comes together in just 30 minutes.

    chana_masala_veggies_top
    Plate of Veggie Chana Masala with Forks on the Side, Skillet and Bunch of Cilantro in the Background
    5 from 1 vote
    Print

    Veggie Chana Masala

    This spicy chana masala is made with fresh veggies simmered with chickpeas in a spicy curried tomato sauce.

    Course Entree
    Cuisine American, Indian
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings 4
    Author Alissa

    Ingredients

    • 2 tbsp. olive oil
    • 1 onion diced
    • 3 garlic cloves minced
    • 2 tsp. fresh grated ginger
    • 1 seranno pepper finely chopped
    • 1 tbsp. garam masala
    • 1 tsp. turmeric
    • ½ tsp. coriander
    • ½ tsp. cumin
    • 1-14 oz. can or 1 ¾ cups cooked chickpeas
    • 1-14 oz. can diced tomatoes
    • ½ cup vegetable broth
    • 1 tbsp. lemon juice
    • 1 cup broccoli florets
    • 1 cup cauliflower florets
    • 1 cup diced carrots
    • ½ tsp. salt
    • ½ tsp. pepper
    • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

    Instructions

    1. Coat a large skillet with oil and place over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, seranno pepper, garam masala, turmeric, coriander and cumin. Sauté 1 minute more.
    2. Add chickpeas, tomatoes (with their juices), broth, lemon juice, broccoli, cauliflower and carrot. Stir and bring to a simmer. Lower heat and allow to simmer until veggies reach desired tenderness, 10-15 minutes, adding a bit of water if the mixture becomes too dry.
    3. Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with fresh cilantro. Serve with naan or rice.

    Recipe Notes

    Feel free to substitute your favorite veggies here - just reduce the simmer time for softer veggies. You'll need 3 cups total of whatever you go with.

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    About Alissa Saenz

    Hi, I'm Alissa! I'm a former attorney turned professional food blogger. I love creating vegan recipes with bold flavors! You can read more about me here.

    I'd love to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kelli M. says

      February 24, 2015 at 12:02 pm

      Soooo excited to try this!

      Reply
    2. Chery says

      April 06, 2015 at 2:45 pm

      Wait... I thought chana is a kind of split chickpeas?

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        April 07, 2015 at 10:38 pm

        I never heard that, but I just did some Googling, and apparently it's a regional thing, where in some parts of India the chickpeas are split. Totally news to me. :)

        Reply
    3. Jordan Resendes says

      August 18, 2019 at 7:36 pm

      5 stars
      This is a delicious recipe. Just made it for dinner with bulgar and I love it. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Alissa Saenz says

        August 18, 2019 at 9:47 pm

        Awesome! I'm so glad you like it! Thanks Jordan!!

        Reply
    4. AG says

      August 26, 2020 at 2:36 am

      5 stars
      Awesome!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Alissa! I'm a former attorney turned professional food blogger. I love creating vegan recipes with bold flavors!

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