Chana Masala Powder Recipe : How to Make Chana Masala Powder at Home

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Though the Chole Masala powder is commonly available in various stores, but there is something special with the homemade Chana masala powder. The Chana masala powder made at home with freshly roasted spices is more aromatic and flavourful. It is also more tempting and tastier than the store-bought. As the spices are cleaned before using, the homemade Chana masala powder is healthy and hygienic. It also economical and does not contain any food preservation or additives.

The Chana masala powder can be made spicy or mild in taste as per your choice. The whole spices when roasted become highly fragrant. Because of this, the masala tastes unique and has delectable flavours. The addition of Chana Masala Powder infuses the strong aroma and addictive flavours in the Chole dish. You may be wondering exactly which whole spices are used in to make Chana Masala Powder at home. Well, the spices included in the Chana Masala Powder recipe may vary from person to person making the powder.

Remarks:

• Do not over-roast the spices. The spices can burn.
• The powder prepared with burnt spices will not taste as it should.
• You can use coriander powder in the chana masala powder recipe.
• You can also add Anardana powder if you have it.
• Do not make chana masala powder in large quantity.
• Refrain from roasting the spice powders.
• Store the Chana Powder Masala in an airtight container.
• Store the Chana masala powder in cool and dry place.
• Use a clean and dry spoon to take to take the powder from the container.

Serving Suggestion:

As the name suggests, chole masala powder is used in preparing the chickpeas curry. It especially added more in the Punjabi chole preparations. These Chole subzi or gravy dish is usually served with roti, Nan, Chapati, and rice. You can eat the Punjabi Chole in any other way you desire but the enhancement of their taste is with the addition of Chana Masala Powder.

• You can use the homemade Chana Masala Powder for making Chana Masala Recipe.
• Whenever you are preparing the Chole or Chana, you can add little Chana Masala powder.
• Also, this Chana masala powder can be added to almost all kind of chole or Chana curries.
• If you are making 100 grams Chole Masala Curry, then you will need to add 1 tsp. of Chole Masala Powder.

Quick Tip:

• If you have properly refrigerated Chana masala powder, then you can use it for 2 to 3 months.
• Before you begin the grinding process, the roasted whole spices should cool completely.
• You can always prepare the Chana Masala Powder in bulk and store for later use.
• Keep the container or the jar of the Chana Masala Powder in the cool temperature.
• If you are preparing in large quantity, then store the powder in the container. But take some powder in the regular small kitchen jar for daily use.
• Whenever you want to take the Masala Powder from the jar, always use a dry spoon.
• If you are using sesame seeds, then keep a lid handy while roasting them. Otherwise, they will start to pop up.
• You must not roast the spice powders like mango powder, ginger powder, turmeric powder or rock salt.
• You can dry the whole spices in the sun as well.

The traditional way of preparing Chana Masala Powder recipe at home typically contains whole spice seeds like mustard seeds, cumin seeds, pomegranate seeds and coriander seeds. It also includes whole spices like bay leaf, cloves, dry red chillies and peppercorns. Once you prepare it at home, you would know that it is not at all tough and time-taking. You will a big sigh of relief on your face. You will be more satisfied to make Chana spice mix powder at home than to buy the packet from the store.

At times, the store-bought commercial Chana masala mixtures predominantly contain whole spices like dried red chilli, dried garlic, star anise, etc. They also include spice powders like and some whole spices like ginger powder, turmeric powder, sesame seeds, coriander seeds, fennel seeds mustard seeds, and few bay leaves. The store-bought spice mix powder includes more of less expensive and economical spices. So, avoid buying from the market, unless you are in hurry. Otherwise, you can instantly prepare the powder at home.

It is very easy to prepare the Chana Masala powder at home. If you want to prepare the chole masala at home, then you must clean and dry roast all the spices on a low flame. Roast them until become fragrant and then grind the together a spice grinder. The Chana Masala Curry dish is one dish that is often prepared in every house, and thus it’s better to keep the Chana Masala Powder in your kitchen. With the availability of spice mix powder, it becomes handy to prepare the Chole curry.

The sprinkle of Chana Masala powder in the dish completely enhances the taste of Chole Recipe. Though this masala powder is easily available at the grocery stores, or you can find anywhere in your locality, but it’s always best if you can try to make it at home. The homemade Chana Masala Powder obviously makes the whole dish more tempting, flavourful, aromatic and tasty than store-bought masala packet. Also with the homemade Chana masala powder, you can be flexible with the ingredients and their proportion

Variation in Chana Masala Powder Recipe:

Apart from the basic Chana Masala Powder Recipe, you can also make it in various other manners. You can customize with the whole spices used and make the Chana Masala powder more flavourful. Check below for one such type of variation. This makes Chana masala powder a bit spicier.

• Cumin Seeds (Jeera) – 1 tbsp.
• Caraway Seeds (Shah-Jeera) – ½ tbsp.
• Dry Red Chilli (Sukhi Lal Mirch) – 2 to 3 pieces
• Turmeric Powder (Haldi) – ½ tsp.
• Coriander Seeds (Dhania) – ½ tbsp.
• Carom Seeds (Ajwain) – ¼ tsp.
• Dry Fenugreek Leaves (Kasuri Methi) – ½ tsp.
• Pomegranate Seeds (Anardana) – 1 tbsp.
• Black Peppercorns (Kali Mirch) – ¼ tbsp.
• Cloves (Laung) – 5 units
• White Sesame Seeds (Safed Til) – ½ tbsp.
• Green Cardamom (Hari Elaichi) – 5 small pieces
• Black Cardamom (Badi Elaichi) – 2 units
• Dry Ginger (Saunth) – 1 unit
• Dry Mango Powder (Amchur) – ½ tbsp.
• Cinnamon (Dalchini) – 2 sticks of 1 inch each
• Bay Leaf (Tej Patta) – 1 unit
• Star Anise (Chakri Phool) – ½ piece
• Nutmeg (Jaiphal) – a small piece
• Rock Salt (Kala Namak) – ¼ tbsp.

Note: You can use ¼ tbsp. ginger powder instead of whole ginger. Similarly, you can use any powder form of the whole spices.  You can also use grated nutmeg or nutmeg powder. It is also very easy to make dry mango powder at home.

How to Select:

The Chana Masala Powder can be easily made at home. Also, it is readily available in the market. So you can instantly purchase the ready-made Chana masala powder from the grocery stores. It is commonly available in all the big superstores as well small shops. Mentioned below are few points to check whenever you are buying the Chana Masala Powder packet from the market.

• Before you buy the packet, always check the seal of the package.
• Scan the packet properly and see if it is cracked or broken.
• Also, see the manufacturing and expiry date of the packed Chana Masala powder.
• Whenever you buy the Chana masala powder packet from the store, always buy small size.
• You can choose the pack size as per your preference but always select the freshly packed powder.
• Smell the packet, it should be fresh and not rotten.

How to Store:

Once you prepared the Chana Masala Powder in bulk, then you must properly store it.

• Store chole masala in an airtight container.
• You can also store the masala in a masala box.
• Keep the container in the cool and dark place.

Although it keeps well for a long time, it loses its aroma and flavour over time. So, do not stock too much. Prepare in small batches which can last for up to 1 or 2 months. Then again prepare the fresh Chana masala powder from the freshly roasted spices.

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