Hara Chana masala(Green chickpeas curry)

Green Chickpeas is available in abundance during this season. Chickpeas are a type of pulse with one seed pod containing two or three peas, they are very rich in protein. Off the season, dried and frozen green chickpeas are also available. The recipe is quite different from the regular chana masala, chickpeas are cooked in rich coconut gravy. This goes very well with chapati, rice and poori.

Ingredients: 1cup green chickpeas
                    1 large onion finely chopped
                    1 large tomato finely chopped
                    1/4cup coconut grated
                    4 green chillies
                    5-6 garlic cloves
                    1' ginger
                    3tbsp coriander leaves finely chopped
                    1/2' cinnamon
                    2 cloves
                    1 cardamom
                    1tsp poppy seeds
                    1/2tsp turmeric powder
                    1/2tsp mustard seeds
                    1/2tsp cumin seeds                  
                    3-4tsp oil                
                    salt to taste

Method: 1)grind together coconut, green chillies, garlic, ginger, coriander leaves, cinnamon, cloves,
                 cardamom and poppy seeds coarsely by adding little water. keep aside.
              2)heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds and when they splutter add onions and fry
                 till they turn pink, add tomatoes and cook till they become soft.
              3)now add turmeric powder, masala paste and fry till the oil separates.
              4)add green chickpeas, salt, water(checking the consistency) and cook till the chickpeas are
                 soft.