Black Chickpeas/Chana/Kadala Curry with Roasted Coconut

Black Chickpeas/Chana/Kadala Curry with Roasted Coconut

Ingredients

1. Black Chickpeas/Chana/Kadala – 1 cup
2. Sliced coconut pieces (thenga kothu ) – 3 tbsp (optional)
3. Onion – 1 large sliced and chopped
4. Shallots/Cheriya ulli  – 4 sliced
5. Curry leaves – 1 sprig
6. Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
7. Red chilly -10 or red chilly powder-1 tsp
8. Pepper powder -1/4 tsp
9. Mustard seeds – 1/4 – 1/2 tsp
10. Dry red chillies-2
11. Coconut oil/Any veg oil – 3 tsp
12. Salt to taste
13. Grated coconut – 3/4 – 1 cup
14. Coriander seeds/Coriander powder – 1 1/2 tbsp 
15. Garam Masala -1/2 tsp 
• OR Whole spices – (
• Fennel seeds – 1/4 tsp, 
• Cardamom/Ealakka – 2,
• Cloves/gramboo – 3, 
• Cinnamon stick/Karuvapatta – 1
• star anise (thakolam) – 1 petal)

Directions

• Soak the kadala overnight (8 hours) and cook till it become soft(In pressure cooker keep it for 6-8 whistles and allow it to cool)
• Roast the coconut with curry leaves,shallots,Coriander seeds and red chilly until the coconut become brown (If you are using spice powders add it after removing from the fire) and allow it to cool
• Grind the roasted coconut and make a smooth paste
• Heat the oil in pan and mustard seeds,when it splutters add 2 red chilly,sliced coconut pieces,onion and curry leaves and saute till onion become brown
• Add the ground coconut mixture ,turmeric powder,garam masala and salt and mix well
• Add sufficient water and bring to boil
• Add the cooked kadala and cook for 3-4 mintues till gravy become thick
• Remove from the fire and serve with puttu or appam