Lapthapi Hirva Chana Recipe: Secret Green Chickpea Curry
Discover the secret to authentic Lapthapi Hirva Chana! This semi-dry fresh green chickpea curry is packed with flavour and perfect with Bhakri or Roti.
Ingredients
For the Secret Masala Paste (Vatan):
- Dry Coconut: A small piece lightly roasted.
- Green Chillies: 2 can be roasted for extra flavour.
- Fresh Coriander: A small bunch use stalks for flavour.
- Garlic: 1 whole bulb peeled.
- Ginger: 1-inch piece roughly chopped.
For the Curry:
- Fresh Green Chickpeas Hirva Chana: 300g (shelled).
- Oil: 1-2 tbsp.
- Mustard Seeds Rai/Mohri: 1 tsp.
- Cumin Seeds Jeera: ½ tsp.
- Asafoetida Hing: A pinch.
- Curry Leaves: 1 sprig.
- Onion: 1 medium finely chopped.
- Tomato: 1 medium chopped.
- Turmeric Powder: ½ tsp.
- Kanda Lasun Masala or Red Chilli Powder: 1.5 tsp.
- Garam Masala: 1 tsp.
- Coriander-Cumin Powder Dhane-Jeera Powder: 1 tsp.
- Salt: To taste.
- Warm Water: As required for gravy.
Instructions
- Prepare the Secret Masala: In a mixer jar, add the dry coconut, green chillies, garlic, ginger, and coriander leaves. Grind without adding water to form a coarse, dry paste.
- Temper the Oil: Heat oil in a pan or kadhai. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Then add cumin seeds, a pinch of hing, and fresh curry leaves.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and roast until it turns golden brown. Add turmeric powder and mix well.
- Cook the Masala: Add the prepared secret masala paste to the pan. Sauté on medium heat for about 2 minutes until the raw smell disappears.
- Add Tomatoes: Toss in the chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften and blend with the masala.
- Add Spices: Lower the flame. Add Kanda Lasun Masala (or chilli powder), garam masala, coriander-cumin powder, and salt. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the oil starts to separate.
- Add Chickpeas: Add the fresh green chickpeas (Hirva Chana) to the pan. Mix well, coating them with the spices. Sauté for 1 minute on medium flame.
- Simmer: Add warm water (adjust amount for a semi-dry/lapthapi consistency). Cover the pan with a lid.
- Cook to Perfection: Let it simmer on a low flame for 15-20 minutes until the chickpeas are soft and cooked through.
- Serve: Your delicious Lapthapi Hirva Chana is ready!