“A mother gives you a life ,
A mother in law gives you her life.”

Although I could never cook like my beloved mother in law, this recipe is just an attempt to reincarnate her magical culinary skill. Her household was always filled with delectable cuisine and I was each time dazzled by her simple yet tasteful cooking. This चना झोर recipe in particular was always in demand by the family and friends. I hope I do justice to ma’s most in demand vegetarian dish and this would be the best way to honour the dear lady who is still in our lives. It is a curry recipe made with black gram along with few other regular Indian spices. Black chana is full of nutrients value and this  झोर ( gravy) is enjoyed especially during winters along with plain steam rice.

Ingredients:

Black gram : 200gms (soaked for at least 7 to 8 hours or overnight)

Onion :2 thinly diced

Bay leaf :2 to 3

Methi Dana :½ tsp

Turmeric powder :1 tsp

Salt :as per taste

Oil : 4 tsp

For grinding

Tomato : 2

Garlic :  6 pod

Ginger :2 inches

Cumin Seed (जीरा) :1 tsp

Coriander seed (धनिया):1 tsp

Peppercorn :10 to 12

Red chilli :6 to 7

Green cardamom :2

Black cardamom :1

Cinnamon Stick (दालचीनी) :1

Step 1:

Keep aside tomatoes along with whole masala.

Step 2:

Grind it all together into a smooth paste

Step 3:

Coarsely grind the black gram with a little water into it.

Step 4:

Keep aside 3 to 4 tsp of whole kala chana.

Step 5:

Heat oil in pan. Add methi Dana and let it crackle and then put bay leaf and onion. Saute it until onion turns golden brown.

Step 6:

Next add the grinded masala paste along with turmeric powder, red chilli powder and salt. Fry the masala till the oil leaves the side of the pan.

Step 7:

Now put the chana paste along with the whole black gram. Saute it on low flame stirring it continuously .

Step 8:

 

Fry it until the masala and the chana paste comes together and oil leaves the side of the pan.

Step 9:

Saute it till the raw aroma of the masala goes away. Now add two to three glass of water. Let it come to a boil and then lower the flame and let it simmer for almost ten minutes.

Step 10:

Once the jhor or gravy reaches the desired consistency, add the slit green chillies and coriander leaves. One can also top it with a tsp of pure ghee.

Step 11:

Serve it hot along with plain steam rice.

Tip:

The chana mash may stick to the pan. It is hence suggested to saute it on low medium flame stirring continuously. The secret to a perfect झोर (gravy) is the perfect frying of the chana paste.