Channa Rice

Channa rice is a healthy and wholesome meal which is perfect for a lunch box too. This meal comes in handy when you do not have any vegetables handy. Cucumber raita pairs very well with this rice. The soft cooked channas and the crisp cucumbers make an ideal pair.

Ingredients

Rice - 1 cup
Chick peas or Kabuli Channa - 1/4 cup
Garlic - 4 cloves, chopped finely
Onion - 1, cut lenghtwise
Tomato - 1, small sized, cut lengthwise
Capsicum - 2 tbsp, chopped lengthwise
Mint leaves - 4 or 5 leaves
Corriander leaves - 1 tbsp
Dried Kasuri methi leaves - 1 tbsp
Red Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
Rice Mix Powder - 1 tsp (or) Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
Salt and turmeric powder as per taste

To Temper

Mustard seeds, cumin seeds, channa dal and curry leaves as per taste
Green chilli - 1 or 2 slit lengthwise

Method

1. Soak the channa overnight and pressure cook until soft. Cook the rice, allow to cool, fluff it with a fork and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan, do the seasoning with ingredients  mentioned under "To Temper". Add the garlic and saute for few seconds.
3. Then add the onions and fry them until they turn transparent. Adding a pinch of salt will speed up the process. Now, add the capsicum, tomatoes, mint leaves and coriander leaves and saute for 2 mins.
4. Add cooked channa, turmeric powder, chilly powder, hing, rice mix powder or garam masala and salt. Now, crush the kasuri methi leaves in between your palms and sprinkle it to the channa mixture. Stir well.
5. Mix the rice, check for salt and add if necessary. Turn off the stove. Garnish with coriander leaves. Close the lid and allow to sit for couple of minutes to let all the flavors blend together. Enjoy with any kind of raita or gravy!!

Nutritional Information

Whether you call them chickpeas or garbanzo beans, these little legumes are a tasty and healthy treat! This legume is low in Saturated Fat, very low in Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Dietary Fiber, Protein and Copper, and a very good source of minerals like Folate and Manganese. Chickpeas can be used in salads, soups, curries and stews