Channa Rice / Chickpeas Pulao / Sundal Biryani

    This is my mom's recipe, who is a great cook. This flavorful chickpeas rice is highly nutritious because of its high in protein and fiber. Enjoy this yummy, healthy, one pot meal either for lunch or dinner.


   Ingredients

         2/3 Cup of Soaked and Boiled Chick Peas / Channa
         1 Cup of Basmati Rice
         1 Large Onion, chopped
         2 Roma Tomatoes, Chopped
         2 Garlic Cloves
         3/4 Tsp of Ginger Garlic Paste
         2 Tsp of Coriander Powder
         1/2 Tsp of Red Chilly Powder
         3/4 Tsp of Garam Masala
         1 Cup of Coconut Milk
         1/2 Cup of Water
         Salt to taste

   To Grind

          2 Green Chillies
          Few Sprigs of Mint Leaves

   To Temper

          1 Tbsp of Ghee
          2 Cloves
          1 Cinnamon Stick
          1-2 Cardamom
          1 Bay Leaves
          Few Curry Leaves

   To Garnish

          Few Cilantro Leaves


   Method

• Soak chick peas in salt water for overnight. Next day, wash it in cold water and Pressure cook for 8-10 whistles and then switch off the stove.
• In a blender, grind green chillies and mint, to a paste. keep it aside.
• Heat ghee in a cooker, add all the ingredients below "To Temper" one by one, fry for a min.
• Add chopped onion and salt, fry for 1-2 mins until it turns golden brown.
• Add garlic cloves and ginger garlic paste, fry until raw smell vanishes.
• Add tomatoes, ground paste, coriander, red chilly powder and garam masala, fry for a 1-2 mins.
• Add boiled chick peas, mix well with masala. 
• Add required coconut milk and water, mix well and check the salt. Cover the cooker with a lid and pressure cook for 1 whistles. Turn off the stove.
• Garnish with cilantro.
• Hot chick peas or Channa Pulao is ready to serve with raita.

   
   Tips

• Rice and water ratio is 1: 1.5 cups of water or coconut milk.
• For extra tangy taste, add few drops of lemon juice at the end.
• Ginger garlic paste is more sufficient for this rice. Adding garlic cloves is optional.
• You can throw green chillies and mint, directly to oil, instead of grinding.

   Health Benefits of ChickPeas

• High in fiber and protein.
• Low in glycemic index.
• Reduce the risk of Heart disease.

  sending recipe to gayathri cook spot and WTML march 2013