Chana Masala and a Great Little Free Cookbook that's "Good and Cheap"

You are already well aware of my love of curries and chickpeas. You also no doubt may be aware of my love for good food and cooking on a budget. Cheap food doesn't have to be unhealthy food. In fact some of the cheapest things you have in your pantry can help you conjure up a quick, delicious and nutritious meal. And it need not be boring food. Music to my ears! On that note, I need to promote a great little free (yup, I said free) pdf cookbook that Leanne Brown has created as part of her MA in Food Studies at New York University.  It's chock full of many great recipes for those of us cooking on a budget (which I think is pretty much everyone I know), accompanied by beautiful pictures of the finished product (I'm a visual person, I need to see something before I decide if I want to make it or not.) There is also a helpful list on how to shop and eat well, what basic items you should have available in your pantry, and ideas as to what to do with leftover ingredients.  I love it because it's not one of those intimidating cookbooks that you sometimes come across, no fancy schmancy ingredient list containing items that you can only get by shopping at an expensive gourmet food store. This is a no fuss cookbook promoting easy recipes that you can make during the week and won't cost you an arm and a leg. Love the section on "Things on Toast" - have done that on many occasions when I needed to get something in to me in a hurry! And she covers the gamut of recipes, from breakfast right through to dinner and dessert. It's all here. And yes, there is meat. You don't have to exclude it even if you are on a tight budget.

Her Chana Masala recipe is one of my favourites which is why I've chosen to feature it. I have made it on multiple occasions and have loved it every single time.  She has also included a recipe for roti which I think I need to try really soon as I imagine it would be absolutely delicious with this.  Maybe next I'll try the vegetable jambalaya... or the smoky and spicy roasted cauliflower...or the curried squash soup.... 

Get her cookbook for yourself here and get cooking without breaking the bank.

Cheers!

Chana Masala
From "Good and Cheap Cookbook" by Leanne Brown with my changes in italics

Ingredients

1⁄2 tbsp ghee or 1⁄2 tbsp butter plus a splash of olive oil

1 tsp cumin seeds 

1⁄2 cup onion, diced (I use shallots)

1 tsp garlic, finely chopped

1 tsp ginger, grated 

1⁄2 jalapeño, finely diced (I omit this as I don't like jalapeno)

 3 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp turmeric 

1⁄4 tsp cayenne powder 

1⁄2 tsp garam masala powder

1⁄tsp smoked paprika

tsp salt

1 cup canned, puréed tomatoes (I used one  28 oz can of diced tomatoes)

2 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas, drained (I used one can of chickpeas drained and rinsed)

1/2 cup water (I omit this usually as I add a full can of the tomatoes...use your judgment.)

garnish with cilantro and dollop of yogurt

Measure out all the spices except the cumin seeds and put them in a small bowl.

Let the ghee (clarified butter) melt in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. (Ghee is the traditional Indian choice, but you can substitute butter and a splash of olive oil if you can’t find ghee.) Once the ghee begins to sizzle, add the cumin seeds and stir for about 5 seconds. Add the onion and sauté for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the ginger and jalapeño and cook for 1 more minute. Add the spices and then the puréed tomatoes. Mix, then put a lid on the pan and let everything cook down for 5 to 10 minutes.

Once the tomato has reduced and the ghee starts to separate from the sauce, add the chickpeas and water. Mix, then bring it to a boil before reducing to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, then squish a few chickpeas with a spoon to thicken the sauce. Garnish with yogurt and cilantro. For a full meal, serve over rice or with roti or naan.