Other day I had run out of vegetables and it was very cold outside to go do any shopping. Suddenly I thought of couple of cans of garbanzo beans sitting in my pantry. I quickly ended up making chana masala or chhole / garbanzo beans curry using these cans. It is very simple recipe and using microwave it take only 15-20 minutes including prep time and cooking time to make restaurant style chana masala.Some of the spices used in recipe below are traditional Indian spices and are all easily available in any Indian Grocery store. You can also purchase this Indian Spices Starter Kit which includes all the below listed spices and many more without worrying about significant investment.Preparation Time: 5 minuteCook time: 15-17 minutesServes: 3 people1.1/3 cup nicely cut onion2.1/2 cup nicely cut tomato3.1tsp garlic paste4.1 bay leaf or tamal patra5. pinch of salt (there is salt already added in canned garbanzo beans. So this pinch of salt is just to help onion/tomato cook quickly )1. 1 can ( 14 - oz ) garbanzo beans (or cooked/salted garbanzo beans)2.1/2 cup tomato pure3.1-1/2tbsp oil4.2tsp butter5.1tsp red chili powder6.pinch of turmeric powder ( optional )7.1tsp sugar8.1/4tsp coriander powder ( optional )9.pinch asafoetida ( optional )10.1/2tspn garam masala11.1/4tsp kasuri methi ( dry fenugreek leaves ) powder (easily find in Indian grocery store ( optional )1.In a microwave-safe bowl combine onion, tomato, bay leaf, oil, butter and pinch of salt2.Now cover it and cook it in microwave for 10-12 minutes until raw smell of onion is gone.3.Add remaining ingredients and mix it well.4. Cover it again and cook in microwave for another 5 minutes.5. Chana masala is ready to serve with puri ( Bhatura ), naan, rice etc.6. You can use same chana masala or chhole with Samosa as Samosa Chaat.If you like what you are reading, follow us on Facebook Pinterest or Google+ Sending this entry to healthy side dish event and to My Lugume Love Affair - MLLA #70 Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen and The Well Season's Cook