Kala chana(Black chickpeas)

Kala chana is great snack item,chanagalu in Telugu are a very good source of Calcium, Protein, Fiber and Folate. Since folic acid is very essential to pregnant women having a cup of cooked beans at least 3 times a week is a very delicious way to incorporate folate in their diet. Alasandalu /black eyed peas are one of the beans which doesn't require overnight soaking and pre planning. You can either directly pressure cook or soak for couple of hours and then cook.




Ingredients:

2cups- Black chickpeas
* 1 small onion
* 2-3 green chillies
* 1 lemon


For seasoning( Tadka / popu ):

* 1 tsp cumin seeds
* 1 tsp mustard seeds
* 1 tsp minapappu / urad dal
* 2 tbsp oil
* 5-10 curry leaves

Preparation:

Soak black chick peas for 1-2 hrs and then pressure cook with 4 cups of water( Until the beans are immersed in water )
* Pressure cook for 4 whistles or boil separately until they are cooked and tender( make sure they don't fall apart )
* Drain off the cooked beans
* In a saute pan heat oil, add cumin seeds, mustard seeds and urad dal. Once they start to splutter add chopped onions and green chillies along with salt.
* Once the onions are cooked to translucent add the cooked peas and mix together.
* Switch off the heat, add lemon juice and finish it off with cilantro.


I prepared this yesterday even my little one likes it,she says its Yummy