Make dhaba-style chana masala at home with the same spicy, smoky street-side flavour😋💥

Bold, spicy, smoky chana masala made with authentic PIKS spices—just like your favourite street-side dhaba!🔥

📝 Ingredients

For Boiling Chana:

• 1.5 cups chana (soaked overnight)

• 1 black tea bag (for colour)

• 1 bay leaf – PIKS Tej Patta

• Salt to taste

• Water as required

For Masala:

• 2 tbsp oil + 1 tbsp ghee

• 2 medium onions (finely chopped)

• 2 tomatoes (pureed)

• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste

• 2 green chillies (slit)

PIKS Spices (Main Flavor Boost):

• 1 tsp PIKS Cumin Seeds (Jeera)

• 1 tsp PIKS Coriander Powder

• 1 tbsp PIKS Chana Masala

• 1 tsp PIKS Kashmiri Red Chilli (for colour)

• ½ tsp PIKS Turmeric

• 1 tsp PIKS Garam Masala

• ½ tsp PIKS Black Salt (dhaba-style punch)

• ½ tsp PIKS Kasuri Methi (crushed)

Smoky Dhaba Tadka:

• 1 tsp ghee

• ½ tsp PIKS Red Chilli Powder

• 1 dry red chilli

• A small piece of hot coal (optional for smoky effect)

  🍳 Method

  1️⃣ Boil the Chana

  1. Add soaked chana to a cooker with:

     • Tea bag

     • PIKS Tej Patta

     • Salt

  2. Pressure cook for 6–7 whistles until soft and mashable.

  2️⃣ Prepare the Onion–Tomato Base

  1. Heat oil + ghee.

  2. Add PIKS Jeera → let it crackle.

  3. Add onions → cook golden brown.

  4. Add ginger-garlic paste → sauté.

  5. Add tomato puree + green chillies.

  6. Add all dry PIKS spices:

     • Turmeric

     • Coriander

     • Kashmiri chilli

     • Chana masala

     • Salt

  Cook till the oil separates (bhunai is the secret of dhaba flavour).

  3️⃣ Add Chana

  • Add boiled chana + some water from the cooker.

  • Mash a few chanas for thickness.

  • Simmer 15 minutes.

  4️⃣ Dhaba SMOKY TADKA

  (OPTIONAL but gives REAL dhaba taste)

  Option 1: Coal

  • Heat a charcoal piece till red.

  • Place in a small bowl over the curry.

  • Add ½ tsp ghee.

  • Cover for 2–3 mins.

  Option 2: Spicy Tadka

  • Heat ghee, add dry red chilli + PIKS Red Chilli Powder.

  • Pour sizzling tadka over the chana.

  5️⃣ Final Touch

  • Add PIKS Garam Masala

  • Crush PIKS Kasuri Methi

  • Mix well and rest 5 minutes.

  🍽️ Serve With

  • Bhature

  • Kulcha

  • Jeera Rice

  • Tandoori Roti

  • Onion rings + lemon wedges.

Enjoy your delicious Chana Masala!

ThankYou.❤