Boot bhaja (stir-fried Bengal gram)

Bengal gram are black chickpeas, which here are soaked overnight then simmered until tender and cooked in an aromatic blend of spices and chilli.

• serves

  4

• prep

  10 minutes

• cook

  1:30 hour

• difficulty

  Easy

Stream free On Demand

Assam

episode • India Unplated • 

cooking • 

23m

G

episode • India Unplated • 

cooking • 

23m

G

Ingredients

• 100 g (½ cup) Bengal gram (black chickpeas)
• 1½ tbsp mustard oil
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• ½ tsp nigella seeds
• ½ cup thinly sliced white onion
• salt, to taste
• 1 long green chilli, finely chopped
• 1 long red chilli, finely chopped
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder
• ½ tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp chaat masala, optional, plus extra to serve
• chopped coriander and lemon wedges, to serve

This recipe needs to be started one day in advance.

Serves 4 as a side.

Instructions

1. Place the Bengal gram in a bowl with 750 ml (3 cups) water and soak overnight.
2. The following day, drain the Bengal gram, place in a saucepan, cover with plenty of cold water and simmer for 1 hour or until tender. Alternatively, you can cook in a pressure cooker for 25 minutes. Drain the chickpeas and set aside.
3. Heat the mustard oil in a large frying pan over medium–high heat. Add the cooked Bengal gram and stir for a few minutes, then add the cumin seeds, nigella seeds and onion. Season with a pinch of salt and cook for 5 minutes or until the onion is soft. Add the chillies and stir for a few minutes, then add the spices and simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavours to mingle. If the pan is too hot, add a splash of water to prevent the spices from burning.
4. Scatter with chopped coriander and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

 

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Photography by Andrew Dorn.

Cook's Notes

Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.

Stream free On Demand

Assam

episode • India Unplated • 

cooking • 

23m

G

episode • India Unplated • 

cooking • 

23m

G