Jaisalmer Chana

Name: Jaisalmer Chana
Yield: Serves 4
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 2 x 400 g/14 oz cans of black chickpeas/kala chana/Bengal gram, drained and rinsed, then drained again; 1 tbsp ground coriander; ½ tsp ground turmeric; 2 tbsp Garam Masala (store-bought); 2 tbsp hot chilli powder; 4 tbsp gram flour/besan; 1 tsp cumin seeds; salt, to taste; ¼ tsp plus a large pinch of asafoetida; 375 g/13 oz/1½ cups plain yogurt; 2 green chillies, finely chopped; 2 tbsp ghee; 500 ml/17 fl oz/2 cups water, or more as needed

Preparation info

Serves
4

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

Yatra

By Rohit Ghai

Published 2025

About

This creamy black chickpea/kala chana curry is a traditional dish originating from a city called Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. Yogurt and gram flour-based curries are a speciality of the region.

Ingredients

375 g/13 oz/1½ cups plain yogurt
4

Asia
India
Jaisalmer
Rajasthan
Stew
Vegetarian
Gluten-free

Method

In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, gram flour, 1 teaspoon of the chilli powder, 1 teaspoon of the garam masala, the turmeric, coriander and the ¼ teaspoon of asafoetida. Whisk well, then add the measured water and whisk again. Set aside.

Heat the ghee in a large pan over a medium heat. Add the large pinch of asafoetida and chopped green chillies and sauté briefly. Add half of the chic