Jaisalmeri Chana | Black Chickpeas in yogurt gravy is a side dish that is very flavorful
and made with simple ingredients. It is a delicacy from the state of Rajasthan in India.
Jaisalmeri Chana, is such flavorful side dish for roti or rice made with very basic ingredients. This a very famous recipe from the state of Rajasthan. Rajasthan has arid climatic conditions and most of the delicacies from this state is made with ingredients that is easily available in the region and also would not spoil quickly in the hot weather.
This recipe uses black chickpeas which is very high in protein. Being vegetarian I am always looking out for protein sources. This recipe not only has one but two sources of protein, the yogurt which is the base for the gravy. This can also be called the Kala chana kadi as it resembles very closely to the kadi. This recipe is my first for this week’s BM under the Lentil sides and salads theme.
I saw this recipe in a group on Face book and had it bookmarked from there. After Navarathri, there is always an excess of dried beans in my house and that keeps me busy for the next few months. This Jaisalmeri chana recipe was the perfect one to use up a little bit from my stock. I also have an affinity to Rajasthani Cuisine for its simplicity and flavor. I have made an extensice Rajasthani Thaali, which has many delicious dishes from the state. My thaali consisted of Goond Ki laddu, Baati, Dal, Panchmel Subzi, Gatte ki Kadhi with rice, Dhana wadi/Moong wadi curry, Bajiri ki roti, Makkai ki roti, Matta/Boondi chaas and Kesar malai Lassi.
My other personal favorite is the Bikaneri Chana dal Paratha. It is a meal in itself and a very protein filled recipe. When we are checking out the recipes from Rajasthan, let’s not miss on the Moong dal vada. It is a very quick and easy appetizer made with Green gram lentil. Again it is a protein packed recipe. We should not be forgetting the dessert and it happens to be a very flavorful one. Lapsi, made with broken wheat and jaggery is very famous in the region and is known for its long shelf life in the hot weather.
Preparation time – 10 minutes plus overnight soaking time
Cooking time – 45 minutes
Difficulty level – easy
Recipe adapted from – Cooking Carnival
Pin the recipe here –
Ingredients to make Jaisalmeri Chana – serves 4
- Black Chickpeas / Kala Chana – 1 cup
- Yogurt – 2 cups (whisked)
- Chickpea flour / Besan – 3 tbsp
- Oil and/or ghee – 1 1/2 tbsp
- Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
- Green chilies – 3 (thinly sliced)
- Asafetida – 1/4 tsp
- Red chili powder – 2 tsp ( I use Kashmiri chili powder)
- Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp
- Cumin and coriander powder / Dhania Jeera powder – 1 tbsp
- Salt – to taste
- Cilantro – for garnish
Procedure to make Jaisalmeri Chana –
- Wash and soak the black chickpeas for 6 to 8 hours. Change the soaking water and add fresh water to immerse the beans.
- Cook the chickpeas in a pressure cooker with enough salt for 4 to 5 whistles. The black chickpeas takes longer time than the white ones to cook.
- Whisk the yogurt and add about a cup of water to it. Add all the dry ingredients; besan, red chili powder, dhania jeera powder, turmeric powder, and just enough salt. Remember that the chickpeas is cooked with salt, so just add enough salt for the yogurt.
- Whisk it well to clear any lumps and keep it aside.
- In a pan, heat the ghee/oil and add the cumin seeds. Let it crackle and then add the asafetida and green chilies. Let it fry for about 15 seconds.
- Add the whisked yogurt mixture to the pan and mix well. Let it come to a boil and then simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Now add the cooked chickpeas and mix well. Adjust the consistency of the gravy by adding more water if needed.
- Let the subzi simmer for 10 more minutes for the flavors to combine. Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with roti or rice.
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing this BM#81
Vaishali says
These channas look absolutely fantastic , would love to enjoy them with that bowl of rice . Rajasthani Cuisine has amazing flavours and these channas are a perfect example , very well made .
Usha says
Chana looks delicious and can imagine the flavors as I once made for Rajasthani kadhi with kala chana. Will check out your thali as well.
Sandhiya says
Wow, that looks so delicious and it’s totally new to me. Will gonna try it for sure,bookmarked it.
sushma says
Chana looks great. I had it once at friends place. Tastes great
Pavani says
That looks like a very flavorful and delicious dish.
Veena Krishnakumar says
Sandhya super ma idhu. I am so tempted to make this
Priya Suresh says
Seriously i love this dish very much, nutritious and fantastic dish to make quite often.
Harini says
That is such a fantastic idea of making kala chana kadhi. I am so making it soon.
Sharmila - The Happie Friends Potpourri Corner says
Such a lovely combo.. Tempts me to try out soon..
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
Totally new to me, as well as a few of the spices. However the spices that I do know work so well together. I bet this is quite tasty.
Adriana Lopez Martin says
Have never tried black chickpeas I guess they taste really good because I love Chana Masala and this looks very close to that dish just creamy. Love Indian food one of my favs.
Andree-Anne @ singly scrumptious says
I had never heard of black chickpeas before! Are they easy to find? Sounds delicious.
Kylee from Kylee Cooks says
This would be hugely popular in my home! I have never tried black chickpeas, but they look so gorgeous in that gravy, a lovely contrast. The flavor looks out of this world.
Nicole - Cookies & CarrotSticks says
Never had black chickpeas before, can’t remember ever seeing them in the stores here. Will have to keep my eyes peeled for them. This recipe sounds absolutely delicious!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
This sounds like such a flavorful dish, and your directions are so clear and easy to follow. Thanks for this recipe!
Kalyani says
this looks like a super flavourful dish 🙂 almost like channa in kadhi kind of gravy ! bookmarked 🙂
Calleigh Keibler - TheForkBite says
Not familiar with this dish but looks too tempting. Creamy, flavorful dish is one of my favorites.
Veena Azmanov says
I do not get black chickpeas but I so would make this with any other like the white. I love channa masala and this reminds me of that. A totally different recipe I know with the yogurt and all. Saving this for later.
Carlee says
I love chickpeas but didn’t even know there was a black variety. Now I’m on the hunt! This looks delicious!
Christine says
I’ve never made or had these before, but this is such a delicious idea! Looks amazing. I definitely want to try it out soon!
swathi says
I haven’t tried kadhi with black chickpeas, I will give it try as it is really easy at the same time delicious too. I am fan of Rajasthani cuisine,
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen says
I’ve never heard of black chickpeas or yogurt gravy before. It sounds like a flavorful dish with an intriguing flavor.
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
I never knew there was such a thing as black chickpeas! We do like chickpeas so I’m sure this would be a great dish for us. The spices you use sound like it’s a very tasty dish. I’m looking forward to giving the recipe a try.
Carmen says
This sounds like a wonderful dish! Just enough spice and a little coolness with the yogurt. I’d love to try it!
Catherine says
What an interesting dish…I’ve never had this before but I would love to try it!
Mayuri Patel says
I love chana in yogurt gravy. We Gujaratis too make this kind of curry to go with rice and toor dal.
ruchi indu says
Looks very similar to the kerala famous kadala curry except that this is made with yogurt based gravy. Interesting recipe..
Ritu Tangri says
All in family love black chana, so I make it once in a week. Surely try this tempting gravy with chana.
Priya Srinivasan says
oh yumm, love this gravy! i m looking for different sides for my roti,this is definitely happening soon in my kitchen