Black Channa Curry

Baisakhi 

It's Punjab's New Year, the harvest festival, a time to rejoice.
Punjabis are fond of dance, music and great food. They dance the Giddha and the world famous Bhangra.
Its of greater significance to the Sikhs as on this Day in 1699 the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa Pant. Baisakhi is also popular in Assam as Rongali Bihu and in Kerala as Vishu.
Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodhgaya on this day. It therefore, holds a day of significance for the Buddhist.
Gurudwaras distribute "Karah Prashad", which is made of equal quantities of ghee, sugar and whole wheat atta.
Langars are held in Gurudwaras. Its a sublime experience  to eat at a Langar. At the gathering all are equal and people offer their services as Kar Seva to cook, serve the meal and even clean the used vessels.
My daughter, Priyanka, who has married a Punjabi, taught me to make these channas.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup black channa soak overnight.
  
• 2 medium onions.
• 2 red ripe tomatoes.
• 1 tsp ginger chopped fine.
• 1 tsp channa masala. 
• 1 tsp red chilli powder
• 1 tsp chopped green chillies
• 1tsp dhania powder
• 1tsp jeera powder
• salt to taste
• 3 tbsp pure ghee
• 2tbsp finely chopped garlic

Method :

• Boil the channa in a pressure cooker with salt, and  water about 4 cups. Give 5 whistles, when cooked strain the channa and reserve the liquid.

• Transfer the channa to a bowl and add, red chilli powder, channa masala , dhania jeera powder keep aside.

• Heat a kadai and add 3 tbs pure ghee, when hot add the  grated onion  and  bhuno after a min add the green  chillies and chopped ginger and finely chopped garlic bhuno when ghee seperates, add the chopped tomatoes and salt for masala bhuno till the tomatoes are cooked. 
• Now add the channa mix cook for a minute and add the channa liquid. Adjust gravy to your choice.

• Let it simmer for 10 mins.
• Serve garnished with coriander leaves

Serve with a ball of white butter the Punjabi way and eat it with steamed basmati rice, pickle and a tall glass of  fresh lassi.

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