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You are here: Home / Savory / Entrees and Main Meals / Vegan Chana Masala

Entrees and Main Meals, Dairy Free Recipes, Egg Free, Gluten-Free, Nut Free, Recipes, Savory, Vegan · February 9, 2016

Vegan Chana Masala

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Vegan Chana Masala is a dish you can easily master. Rich in deep, aromatic flavors & a little spice to entice your taste buds. Vegan & Gluten Free (also nut free)

If you could go out to eat anywhere, what type of restaurant would it be? Does the thought of eating pasta make you smile? What about sitting at a table of endless chips & salsa? Or would it be a special night out with a loved one sitting across from you, while dining on local, farm to table dishes? While I may enjoy each of those immensely, if I could go anywhere to eat, it would be an Indian restaurant. And here are my reasons why ….

  • There are a TON of vegan and/or vegetarian options
  • The dishes are full of variety & aromatic flavors
  • They do “spicy” right!
  • chai tea, naan bread & masala (I could have just started with that one)
  • I haven’t been able to make Chana Masala like they do…..UNTIL NOW

I have tried and tried with “don’t make this again” attempts, “just ok” attempts, and “cheater” attempts. Ok, to clarify, a “cheater” attempt is basically, I have a GO-TO jar of dairy-free Masala that I LOVE and in a pinch, that’s what I’ll grab. But the other night, I was determined to get it right, to learn from my mistakes and make the best, darn Chana Masala I’ve ever made, from scratch, no jar in sight! And I did……

I think I may have done a little happy dance and let out a squeal of delight when I took that final bite before plating.

Because I know you are here for the recipes, let me show you just how easy it is to make your of Chana Masala at home.

Start your pot of rice. Whether it’s done of the stove top, baked in the oven or made in a rice cooker, you’ll want to start that now.ย I like using Jasmine rice best with this dish, because it is a little more firm than typical white rice and not as nutty flavored as brown rice.

While that’s cooking, lets start on the main dish.

Cook down your diced onions, Serrano and garlic until translucent. Add your spices to the pan and stir. You’ll want those spices to cook into the onions for a few minutes so the flavors are truly cooked in there, not just thrown on top.

Then add your tomatoes & lemon juice. Bring to a quick boil then back to simmer.

Step 1 of Chana MasalaNow grab your Immersion blender (or carefully transfer sauce to a blender) and puree until tomatoes & onions are less chunky and closer to a thick soup consistency. If you are using a blender, be sure to pulse in batches! Sometimes the heat from the puree will cause the top lid to come off, so I like to cover the top with a towel and keep my hand on the lid,,,,,JUST IN CASE.

Once you’ve gotten the consistency you desire, add in your tofu (Or chickpeas if following the soy-free option) and allow to simmer 10 minutes to let the flavors develop.

Now it’s time to add in the star ingredients….sour cream and butter, both vegan of course. This final step will remove the acidity from the tomatoes and bring the spice from the Serrano down just a notch. Plus, it’s what is needed for an amazingly rich and creamy sauce.

PicMonkey CollageIf you are looking for a dairy free sour cream, I like to use Tofutti brand, however it is NOT soy-free. Using chickpeas instead of tofu & plain yogurt or coconut cream in place of the Tofutti, would make this soy-free! If you have chickpeas out, try this Creamy Chickpea Curry from Food Faith Fitness.

Serve on top of rice with some fresh cilantro and make sure to add some green veggies. Lightly sautรฉed baby peas and spinach pair very well with this Indian dish.

For the full Indian restaurant experience in your own home, how about making some Naan bread? It’s so easy to make and you can find it here.

puffy Naan

Chana Masala- Vegan style

Masala Pinterest Collage
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Vegan Chana Masala

Vegan Chana Masala

Yield: 5 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

South Indian Curry is a dish you can easily master. Rich in deep, aromatic flavors & a little spice to entice your taste buds. Vegan & Gluten Free (also nut free)

Ingredients

  • Jasmine Rice, cooked (or other rice of choice)
  • 1 TB. virgin coconut oil
  • 1 white onion, diced
  • 1 Serrano pepper, seeded and sliced
  • 1 TB. minced garlic cloves (from a jar or 2 fresh minced cloves)
  • 1 1/2 tsp. garam masala
  • 1 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
  • 2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp. ground curry
  • 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • salt to taste
  • 28 oz canned, diced tomatoes
  • 1 TB lemon juice
  • 1 lb. extra firm tofu, drained, pressed and cubed (OR 2 cans, drained chickpeas)
  • 8 oz dairy-free sour cream (Tofutti)
  • 2 TB dairy-free butter (Earth Balance)
  • 1 TB. fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

  1. Make your rice according to directions.
  2. In a large saucepan, heat oil on medium heat. When water droplet sizzles, add onion, Serrano, and garlic. Cook until onion turns translucent (3 minutes).
  3. Add spices: garam masala, coriander, cumin, turmeric, curry, and cayenne. Season with salt and cook several minutes, until spices are absorbed in the onions.
  4. Add the tomatoes in their liquid and lemon juice. Bring to a boil.
  5. Using a handheld immersion blender (or carefully transfer to a blender), and puree tomato mixture until more smooth texture, but not too soupy
  6. Add tofu cubes (or chickpeas). Reduce heat and allow to simmer 10 minutes for flavors to blend.
  7. Stir in the sour cream and butter during the last few minutes before serving.
  8. Serve with rice, and green veggies.

Notes

*Make this dish Soy-free & use 2 cans of chickpeas instead.

© Nicole Dawson
Cuisine: Indian

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South Indian Curry is a dish you can easily master. Rich in deep, aromatic flavors & a little spice to entice your taste buds. Vegan & Gluten Free (also nut free)

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Posted In: Entrees and Main Meals, Dairy Free Recipes, Egg Free, Gluten-Free, Nut Free, Recipes, Savory, Vegan · Tagged: dairy free, egg free, gluten free, nut free, vegan

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Comments

  1. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

    February 9, 2016 at 4:31 pm

    My all time FAVORITE dish!

    Reply
    • nicoleanndawson says

      February 14, 2016 at 10:31 am

      If you make it, I’d love to hear what you thought or what changes you made to it.

      Reply
  2. Linda @ Veganosity says

    February 11, 2016 at 6:57 pm

    Oh yum! I absolutely love Indian food. This looks delicious. And that naan, oh my gosh.

    Reply
    • nicoleanndawson says

      February 14, 2016 at 10:30 am

      The naan was SOOO easy to make also.

      Reply
  3. Sophia @veggies dont bite says

    February 11, 2016 at 11:23 pm

    I’ve never had Chana Masala but I love how colorful it looks! Especially next to those peas.

    Reply
    • nicoleanndawson says

      February 14, 2016 at 10:29 am

      Thank you Sophia! Adding the peas came to me at the end of the recipe, but I’m so glad I included them. Both for color contrast as well as adding in a bit of sweetness to this spicy dish.

      Reply
  4. Uma @Simple Sumptuous Cooking says

    February 12, 2016 at 10:30 am

    Sounds delicious. Perfect for weekend lunch!

    Reply
    • nicoleanndawson says

      February 14, 2016 at 10:25 am

      Agreed, and didn’t take too long at all to put together! If there are any leftover, it also makes the perfect weekday lunch too.

      Reply
  5. Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes.com says

    February 12, 2016 at 2:53 pm

    Indian food is my absolute favorite cuisine and I am so horrid at cooking it myself. Every time I try it, I just screw it up immensely, give up and go to my favorite Indian restaurant! Looks like you nailed this masala recipe and OMG! That naan! Yum!

    Reply
  6. [email protected] says

    February 12, 2016 at 11:01 pm

    Ooo I love Indian food and it is amazing how vegan friendly it is. Your Chana Masala looks totally delicious. Just perfect with a big pile of fluffy rice and a warm naan!

    Reply
    • nicoleanndawson says

      February 14, 2016 at 10:21 am

      Indian food is amazing, isn’t it! Especially with Naan & rice.

      Reply
  7. dixya @ food, pleasure, and health says

    February 13, 2016 at 9:04 am

    love me chana masala..this is such a unique way of doing it..i will give it a try soon.

    Reply
    • nicoleanndawson says

      February 14, 2016 at 10:20 am

      I’d love to hear what you think of it!

      Reply
  8. Kathy Hester says

    February 13, 2016 at 9:59 am

    Curry and naan? Count me in – this looks amazing!!

    Reply
    • nicoleanndawson says

      February 14, 2016 at 10:20 am

      Thank you Kathy! I was thrilled to finally create a recipe with bragging on.

      Reply
  9. Sina @ Vegan Heaven says

    February 15, 2016 at 3:25 am

    This looks so delicious!! I LOVE Indian food! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  10. Gin says

    February 15, 2016 at 12:42 pm

    High five for Indian restaurants! You said it, they do spicy right! ๐Ÿ™‚ Your chana masala sounds wonderful, pinning!

    Reply
    • nicoleanndawson says

      February 16, 2016 at 8:40 am

      Thanks! They usually usually ask if I want “hot” or “their HOT” which is crazy spicy BUT amazing!

      Reply

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