Trader Joe's Channa Masala Recipe
Even with new age quick cooking methods, nothing beats the convenience of Trader Joe’s channa masala. I dress this frozen meal up with chickpeas, onions, and tomatoes, turning it into a satisfying and hearty dish. It comes together in just 15 minutes but mimics that homemade quality so well.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 210kcal
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat the frozen Channa Masala box halfway (it says 4 minutes on the box, so heat in the microwave for 2 minutes)
- Combine the defrosted Channa Masala box, the garbanzo beans and 1/2 cup water in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Cook 1-2 minutes.
- Bring to a boil and cook 1 minute. Then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes (and up to 1 hour). Add more water as needed (to achieve the consistency you want).
- Mash some of the garbanzo beans to thicken the curry.
- Serve warm (top with diced onions, diced tomatoes, cilantro to taste)
Notes
- My #1 Secret Tip for this Trader Joe’s channa masala recipe is to let it simmer for longer than the minimum time if possible. If I am not in a hurry, an extra 20-30 minutes intensifies the flavors and tastes more like a homemade curry.
- Mash chickpeas: I mash a small portion of chickpeas with a potato masher to naturally thicken the sauce and provide a slightly creamier texture.
- Stir occasionally: As the channa masala simmers, I stir it occasionally to ensure nothing catches on the base of the pot, which may lead to scorching.
- Adjust liquid: I add small amounts of water as the channa masala simmers to reach my desired consistency without watering it down. I like mine to be the same as a good pot of chilli.
- Add garam masala: Before I add my fresh toppings, I stir through 1 teaspoon of garam masala to reinvigorate the spices.
- Squeeze a bit of lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens up the flavors of the sauce and the toppings.
Nutrition
Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 33.2g | Protein: 7.5g | Fat: 5.7g | Saturated Fat: 1.1g | Cholesterol: 2.5mg | Sodium: 790mg | Potassium: 291.4mg | Fiber: 7.1g | Sugar: 2.5g