Radhika Mohan writes:
My mom made the most delicious Chana Masala! She is no more, but her recipes linger not only in my mind and kitchen, but also in my daughter’s heart. It’s amazing, how a recipe can remind you of someone! The flavours and aromas arouse a longing to see her again. Needless to say, I can never eat or cook Chana Masala without reminiscing about my mom! I am delighted at making this recipe immortal by sharing it with you all, through “Cooking for kids with love” hosted by Jigyasa and Pratibha.
“Naani” as my daughter called her, whipped up the most delicious chanas with ease. I don’t think the secret lay in the ingredients, but it was her love and passion to dish out something special for her kids and grandchildren, that made all the difference. She seasoned it with affection, tempered it with love and drizzled her warmth over all that she cooked! It’s amazing that a particular dish can bind generations as well as evoke emotions.
Do people continue to live beyond their life, through these aromas? Do they leave behind a lingering fragrance long after they are gone? The best tribute I can pay my mom is by sharing her simple recipe for lip smackingly delicious Chana Masala…
Chana Masala
250gm kabuli chana
2 tsp chopped ginger
3 tbsp oil
6 long slices of deseeded green chillies, cut in half
Salt to taste
2 tsp dhania
2 tsp red chilly powder
Roast the following ingredients together for 2 min with a pinch of salt. Grind in a mixie and keep aside.
2 tsp roasted jeera
6 peppercorns ( sabut kali mirch)
½ tsp black salt
1 tsp anardana
1. Soak the chana overnight.
2. Cook the chana in a pressure cooker with 8 glasses of water. Strain and keep aside. Cook for approx 30 min, or till the chanas are tender.
3. Heat oil in a karai and add chopped ginger, followed by the slit green chillies.
4. Add one tbsp of the masala and stir, so that the masala releases colour.
5. Add the boiled chana.
6. Add dhania, red chilly powder and salt. Stir till well blended.
7. Add remaining masala and cook for 7 to 10 minutes.
8. If the chana appears too dry add some of the water which you used to boil the chana. The chana should ideally be moist and sticky.
9. Decorate with onion rings and lemon wedges.
Serve hot with puris or chappatis. Remember the kids love it! Try it out! Maybe you will also weave a tapestry of love someday with a recipe that becomes a common thread between you and others….
Shanta Bhalla certainly lives on with her Chana Masala…
Posted by Radhika Mohan
Radhika Mohan is a freelance writer based in Chennai. A smiling and cheerful person, she makes friendly easily with her quick wit and pleasant persona. You can read some of her articles by clicking on Bai God, Swirls of Colour, A Whiff of Perfume? Have a Green Mehndi!
It is awesome to see this. I will always remember her for her wonderful personality which allowed her and all of us to live life to the fullest. Her million friends all over, even here in the US! So will try it this weekend at home- for me, I have memories of champaaa (mutton chops), palak paneer, sukhe aloo, rongi, caramel custard, jelly, pudding etc.
I just made chanas on Monday but soon I will try this. Dad always talks abt the Mutton Chops.
And not too forget…we loved her and she will always be remembered with fond memories.
You are right. It was her love. With the recipe, you can make channa masala but not her Lovely channa masala.
I loved her channa’s and besan ki burfi too…I havent had the same…but shall definitely try this recipe.
Dear Radhika, Thanks for the recipe for chole (your mum’s). I have the book after which this site is named and would love to have the ayurvedic recipe book too.
Do keep in touch,take care
lol, Rita
This is really great! I am going to try it….it may not turn out as good but let’s give it a shot.
This is really great! I am going to try it…it may not turn out as good, but let’s give it a shot.
Thats a very sweet gesture Sweety Bua…she is always with all of us…I will try making it. God bless us all! Thankyou. Love, Manya
Hi Radhika, You truly are a special person!! Thank you for sharing not only the recipe, which I’m going to try this weekend itself, but the beautiful presentation. Loved your mother’s picture and the whole layout!
Thanks…………….hope all is well.
Love, Raksha
Lovely idea to write online in Mom’s memory ..
I have tasted her cooking in Delhi and Mds and it was great!!
It’s not only nani’s cooking and aromas that linger..its her love… her affection!!.. Palak paneer was a favourite and of course her mango ice cream and kulfis!!!Nice piece ma, nani’d be very pleased at being on the net!
Hey Radhika… I am definitely going to try this out . Arjun and kids love channa masala and ur mom’s recipe will no doubt be the best. Thanks for sharing this recipe with us. Sadhana.
Dear Radhika,
I believe aroma is one of life’s greatest memory triggers — I can’t wait to try out this recipe and let the aroma fill my kitchen. Thank you for sharing your memories and your mom’s chana masala
Linda is right! What makes food tasty is not the taste but the flavor of associations and memories – taste is important but without love, cooking falls flat!! Beautiful chana masala and a very vibrant looking Naani!! Congrats, Radhika!
This is fantastic !!!!
truly loved it, such a wonderful way of putting across something so simple…you are brilliant !…
much love
Madie
What a wonderful way to start my day – that photo of Shanta Aunty brought a smile to my face and a flood of memories that go back 32 years. Thank you so much for sharing not just the recipe but for reminding us about what really matters in our lives. I will always remember your mum for the amazing aura she had and for the warmth and love that she generated to everyone around her. In friendhip and love, Surabhi
dear radhika ,
what a simple and delicous recipe .must try it . can almost feel auntys presence in this article
meena
What a lovely picture of Shanta Aunty! Thanks for sharing her recipe – it sounds yummy & easy! Have to try it soon. So true…. the little things evoke the fondest memories.
Sweety,
Only you could have put it across so beautifully!!
A simple thing like a recipe has opened up a whole world of memories associated with Shanta aunty,which is not just the her recipes but also her forever welcoming hospitality for everyone and anyone at all times!,her immensely interesting company,her charismatic personality,her love and affection,and most of all her strength and willpower!will try not just her recipe for ‘Chana Masala’ but also her recipe for the good and full life that she led!
This truly is the best way to spread the blanket of warmth & love associated with Aunty.
I tried her recipe out yesterday which was minus the garlic and onions of the chole i knew. It turned out superb and i cud almost feel her presence…Bless her soul. I for one can never ever forget her.
Thanx a ton Sweets. You couldn’t have come out with a better tribute.
Thanks Sweety. Got it – now have to try it sometime. True that anything cooked has to be tempered with love etc. Your mum will be happy to know that her recipe is online.
You sure are wonderful to have thought up such a great way , to keep mamas cooking alive , by sharing it with everyone, keep it up . All the good memories came back after seeing her photo & reading the article, her warmth & exuberance & ofcourse her delicious cooking skills . God bless her soul , she would have been thrilled to see herself on the net.
love , lily
Thank you so much for sharing such a great recipe! My eyes welled up when I read through the article. I am sure your mom must have been a very warm, loving, affectionate and a wonderful person! Wish I had had the opportunity to have met her! I am going to try my hand at this recipe over the weekend
God bless her soul.
Its so nice to see Shanta Masi and read her recipe. Very nice thought of putting up her recipe here. I’m sure mom would greed for more
)
We are going to try out chana masala today, Radhika! Such a lovely and lively person your mother had been, we never had the privilege of tasting her culinary skills..
Thx for sharing that sweety aunty. I have that cook book – your article is very well written and I remember your mom so fondly – she was lovely,hugs
Beautiful write up
A very befitting and touching tribute! I’m definitely going to try the recipe!!
Love, Megha
Hi Radhika, What a novel way to relive your precious memories!! Even for someone with 2 left hands, its given me an impetus to actually try out a recipe!! We miss our parents endlessly, and what better way to revive their presence. Will even ask you to sample the dish!! Love, Maya.
tried the masala channa – really good and easy – I have alwaysdreaded making them thanks for the recipe- look forward to more of itskind.
Dear Radhika ,
Thanks so much for the link. I just read your write up to my own mum a few minutes ago and told her that I and many cousins etc had similar memories of her food. Its her 87th birthday tomorrow. So it made her happy, though she doesn’t remember any of her recipes and cannot quite believe now that people remember her for the great cooking she did. I encourage her saying that while she has forgotten how she did it or what she did, the ones who ate what she made have never forgotten! You are lucky that your mum was able to cook till she went away to a better life of peace and rest.
Just like it wasnt the ingredients that made her cooking, I am sure whatever she fed you with made you the sunshine person you are!
Have a sunshine day!
Nimmi
Googled my name and found this moving tribute to your mom. I’m left wondering…because
I’m sure Shanta Bhalla is not a common name. From her photograph, it’s obvious your mom was a lovely and spirited person. I’m glad I have the same name as hers.
There is another common thread here: I too am a writer. You may perhaps have seen or read my book – Rain Dance?
Would love to hear back from you.
Shanta.
This is amazing Shanta!!! Can you please give me your e mail or mail me at radm26@hotmail.com. Would love to be in touch.
Hi Radhika, we wrote to her as well. Will let you know if we hear from her.
Thanks Radhika for sharing such a warm and beautiful tribute to your mom. I can just sense the fragrance of the channa masala and will surely try out the recipe this week for my mom when she comes to visit us. thanks again xoxo…………Lavina
Dear Lavina, Hope your chana masala was yummy.
Wow Masi, this is so beautiful!Its like I can almost taste the Chana Masala. I love the way you have written it. Nani would have been so excited to see her recipie on the internet. I miss the baingan ka bharta she used to fondly make for me because i loved it sooo much. Miss her! Thanks for the recipe.
Dear Anchal, now we wish we had the good fortune of tasting Shanta Aunty’s food.
Chana masala recipe is a great recipe. I will also try this at home. Thanks a ton to Radhika ji for sharing. She is just awesome.
God bless her.
Gaurav
Hope our kids and grand children remember us through our recipes as we remember our parents and grand parents for what they prepared lovingly for us.
Few traditional dishes have already been extinct either due to non availability of the ingredients or the formula is lost.