Masala-Spiced Chickpeas
Colin Cowie

Masala-Spiced Chickpeas
Spice up your Indian dinner with this tasty appetizer.

Ingredients:
Serves 6

Garam masala:

  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground red (cayenne) pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
Chickpeas:

  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups finely chopped onion
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans chickpeas , rinsed and drained
  • 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro , for garnish
To make masala: Mix spices in a small cup until blended. Set aside.

To make chickpeas: Heat oil in a nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until light brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Add masala; stir 1 minute, or until spices become fragrant.

Stir in chickpeas, pepper, salt, and 1 tablespoon water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 7 minutes, or until the first few chickpeas begin to split. If mixture becomes dry, add additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time; curry should be moist but not saucy.

Remove from heat, and stir in lemon juice. Garnish with chopped cilantro.

Note: If you have store-bought masala, you can use it in place of step one.
 

From the March 2007 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine