Instant Pot® Chana Masala

Chana masala is a savory vegan chickpea stew with Indian flavors. Using the Instant Pot® allows you to cook the rice inside in a "pot-in-pot" method so you'll save on dishes.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 5 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 35 mins
• Calories: 228 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 carrot, diced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 (1 inch) piece fresh ginger root, minced
• 3 Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 cup brown basmati rice
• 1 cup dried chickpeas
• 1 teaspoon amchur (dried mango powder)
• 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1.25 cups water
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 green Thai chile, minced
• 0.5 cup cilantro, chopped

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Rinse rice in plenty of cold water. Put into a small, oven-safe dish that will fit inside a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®). Cover with water and set aside.

Step 2

Combine cumin seeds, amchur, coriander, garam masala, paprika, turmeric, pepper, and ground cayenne in a small bowl for the spice mix. Set aside.

Step 3

Place oil in the pot and select Saute function. Add onion, carrot, and bay leaf; cook and stir until onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in spice mix, garlic, ginger, Thai chile, and 1/4 cup of the reserved chickpea liquid; saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Cancel Saute function.

Step 4

Mix in chickpeas and remaining liquid, tomatoes, and tomato paste. Place a trivet inside.

Step 5

Carefully lift out the rice; fluff with a fork. Remove the trivet and bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to blend just a small amount of chickpeas to create a creamy texture, 2 to 3 pulses on high speed.

Step 6

Evenly distribute rice and chana masala among 5 plates. Top with chopped cilantro.

Step 7

Pour chickpeas into the cooker and cover with 2 cups cold water. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 10 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.

Step 8

Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions for 10 minutes. Manually release any remaining pressure, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Remove the chickpeas, reserving cooking liquid.

Step 9

Drain rice and return to the dish. Cover with 1 1/4 cups fresh water. Place the dish on top of the trivet. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 25 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.

Step 10

Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions for 10 minutes. Release any remaining pressure carefully using the quick-release method, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid.