Chana Masala (Fed 2 for $3.24 with LOTS of leftovers)

I’ve never been a fan of Indian food, but I don’t have a reason why.  Which seems very silly to me, so I decided to give this a shot.  I’ve made it twice since then and I really enjoy it!  This is a very easy dish and is very cheap to make.  Start out by chopping 1/2 and onion, 3 cloves of garlic and one chili pepper (this can be omitted) up and cook over medium heat in a skillet until the onions are clear. 

Then add the spices… the spices can be expensive if you are buying them all at the same time, but it is a good investment!  Add in 1 tsp. cumin, 2 tsp. garam masala (I found this with the Indian/Asian foods in my grocery store, it was NOT with the “usual” spices), 1 tsp. coriander, 1 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. turmeric.  Then add one large can of chopped tomatoes (I used organic) and one can of chickpeas (I make my own using dry beans) and simmer for about 15 minutes.  This is important because it blends the spices. 

Then I make instant rice, you could make a better quality rice, I’m just HORRIBLE at cooking rice 🙂 and serve the chana masala over rice. 

If you are serving children, I would leave out the pepper.  I pulled a pepper out of my garden and used it.  One tiny little pepper, it was VERY spicy!  Good for adults or brave children, but just use your own judgement here 🙂

1 Can Chickpeas (I use dry beans, soak, and pressure cook because it’s cheaper) $.50

1 Large Can Diced Tomato $1.59

1/2 Onion, diced $.40

1 Chili Pepper, diced (out of my garden)

3 Cloves Chopped Garlic $.05

2 C Instant Rice $.75

1 tsp. cumin

2 tsp. garam masala

1 tsp. coriander

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. turmeric