"Masala Tchot" a recipe from Kashmir, loved by all.

Black chickpeas commonly know as Kala chana  and Garbanzo beans in US.

Kala chana is a dark brown coloured variety, cultivated mainly in indian sub continent and some other parts of the world too.

kala chana has two varieties — desi and kabuli. While the desi variety comprises of darker smaller seeds with a rough outer covering, the ‘kabuli’ variety are big light-coloured beans with a smoother coat.

It is an amazing legume, having role in many Indian dishes and is part of salads and recipes of some other countries as well

In kashmir kala chana is boiled and cooked making it a lovable road side dry meals wrapped in a lavasa (local tandoori soft and thin roti) with a mouth watering chutney, commonly known as "Masala Tchot".

Although Masala Tchot is prepared from other legumes also such as black turtle beans "wari mutth" and "Kabuli white chana".

You can hardly resist at the first sight and fall in love with the taste after having a bite.

Health benefits of kala chana

Kala chana being a rich source of proteins, a protein alternative for vegetarians, plays an important role in building the muscles of the nation.

More importantly Kala chana is an Immunity booster to impart enough strength to fight the viral infections like Covid-19.

It is rich in fiber content and the soluble fiber in  black chickpeas binds to the bile acids and  preventing it from being absorbed by the body, and hence reduce the  cholesterol and triglycerides levels considerably.

The carbohydrates present in kala chana are digested slowly, reducing the blood sugar levels, thus reduces the risk of falling prey to  diabetes type-2.

Pregnant women, lactating women and growing children must include kala chana in their routine diet quite often to prevent anaemia owing to it's rich source of iron which plays a role in haemoglobin formation.

kala chana cures constipation. For that purpose , soak chickpeas in water overnight and eat them early morning with luke warm  water.

It is a rich source of manganese which helps fight free radicals, deficiency of which can lead to wrinkles, thereby maintaing the skin tone and the B vitamins in it work as a fuel for the cells.

Manganese in kala chana helps in hair growth as well.

kalla chana can also be used to cleanse the face. Make a paste of chickpeas mixed with turmeric and apply to your face in the morning. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then wash off with cold water.

This mixture paste also helps reduce age spots and brighten your face.

Wana prepare and taste!!!!!

Get ready and follow me.

Ingredients needed

Kala chana 1kg

Tomato 2 to 3 chopped

Onion 2 chopped

Green chillies 4 to 5 chopped

Green coriander

garlic-ginger paste 2 teaspoonful

Cinammon 1 small finger size

Green cardamom 3-4

bay leaves (tez patta) 1-2

Red chilli powder 2 teaspoonful

Turmeric powder 1 teaspoonful

Garam masala 1 teaspoonful

Amchur powder (dry mango powder) 1 teaspoonful

Salt as per taste.

Optional ingredients

Curd or any homemade chutney

Directions in making "Masala Tchot"

Soak chickpeas in water for 2 to 3 hours,

remove the water and add fresh water with a pinch of baking soda.

Pressure cook upto 4 whistles.

Keep aside the cooker.

Heat oil in a pan, add bay leaves, cinnamon ,green cardamom and ginger garlic paste.

Heat untill the spices are roasted well.

Now add chopped tomato,onions,green chillies.

Add 2 teaspoonful salt to squeeze out the extra water from the tomatoes.

When the water content is reduced by approximately 80 %, add red chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala and amchur powder.

Cook till the spices leave their fragrance and aroma.

When you are done, add the soaked kala chana in the same pan and mix well.

Do add water 1 glass so that the spices and kala chana merge well.

Heat till the mixture gets almost dry.

Here comes the most important touch to the beautiful recipe

Spread green chutney on the lavasa (roti).

Pour dry kalla chana "masala" on the chutney wet lavasa, 

Wrap in a conical shape and in order to garnish sprinkle chopped green coriander.

The Masala Tchot is ready.

At home you have the choice to have it with yogurt too.

The mesmerizing recipe of masala Tchot is ready to enjoy.

It is anytime bite and the beauty of masala Tchot is that you can enjoy the taste while you walk and talk with your family or friends.

Waiting eagerly for your valuable feedback.

Thanks sis Anjum Fayaz (advocate) for all the efforts you took in giving the traditional touch to the recipe.

Cooking is an art,eating is fun.