Kala channa (black chickpeas) for the 8th day of Navratri

Today being Ashtami the 8th day of Navratri the fast is broken. On this day a special menu is prepared in the morning, consisting of Kala channa (black chickpeas), sooji halwa (semolina pudding), puri and fresh coconut. In my family in India nine girls, who represent the different forms of the female divinity, are invited to the house. As honouring of the goddesses the prepared meal is served to them as a Prasad (offering to god).

I made chapatti instead of puri for this meal as S. isn’t supposed to eat too oily food.
You can see a snap of the whole meal here and I have given the recipe for Kala channa (black chickpeas). I wish everybody a very nice rest weekend!!! :-)

Ingredients:

- 1 cup black chickpeas (kala channa)
- 1 Tsp. cumin seeds
- Pinch hing/ asafoetida
- 3 black cardamom pods
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 Tsp. cumin powder
- 1 Tsp. coriander powder
- Salt to taste
- Red chilli powder to taste
- 2 Tbsp. ghee
- 2 Tbsp. chopped coriander leaves

Method:

Soak chickpeas in water overnight. Drain, rinse and place with 1 cup water in the pressure cooker. Cook for 7-8 whistles. Wait for steam to release.
In a pan heat ghee and add cumin seeds. When they turn golden-brown add bay leaf, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick and hing/asafoetida. Fry for some seconds. Add the chickpeas along with cooking liquid. Then add salt and other spice powders. Mix well and let simmer till all liquid has evaporated. Add the coriander leaves and serve.

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