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A delightful Gujarati winter specialty made with fresh green chickpeas. This semi-dry curry has a tangy and savory flavor profile, perfect to enjoy with hot rotis or phulkas. A simple and wholesome meal ready in minutes.
For 4 servings
Prepare the Tempering (Vaghar)
Sauté Aromatics and Build Masala Base
Add Spices and Green Chickpeas
A delightful Gujarati winter specialty made with fresh green chickpeas. This semi-dry curry has a tangy and savory flavor profile, perfect to enjoy with hot rotis or phulkas. A simple and wholesome meal ready in minutes.
This gujarati recipe takes 40 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 257.94 calories per serving with 8.96g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for lunch or dinner.
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Cook the Shaak
Finish and Garnish
Serve
To make this dish vegan, simply omit the curd or replace it with a plant-based yogurt like cashew or coconut yogurt.
Add one small, diced potato along with the green chickpeas for a more filling curry. You may need to add a little extra water and cook for a few more minutes.
For a no-onion, no-garlic version, skip the onion and ginger-garlic paste. You can add a pinch more asafoetida for flavor.
Increase the amount of green chilies and red chili powder, or add a pinch of black pepper along with the garam masala at the end.
Green chickpeas are packed with protein, which is essential for muscle repair, growth, and overall body function, making this dish a great option for vegetarians and vegans.
The high fiber content from the chickpeas aids in digestion, promotes a feeling of fullness, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and supports a healthy gut microbiome.
This dish provides essential nutrients like folate, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus, which are vital for energy production, bone health, and preventing anemia.
The addition of curd introduces beneficial probiotics to the dish, which can improve gut health, enhance digestion, and boost the immune system.
Lila Chana are fresh, young, green chickpeas. They are a seasonal delicacy, typically available during the winter months in India. They are softer and have a sweeter, more delicate flavor than mature, dried chickpeas.
Yes, it is a very healthy dish. Green chickpeas are an excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The use of curd adds probiotics, and the spices offer various health benefits. It is a well-balanced and nutritious meal.
One serving (approximately 1 cup or 210g) of Lila Chana nu Shaak contains around 250-300 calories, depending on the amount of oil used. It's a relatively low-calorie main dish.
Fresh or frozen green chickpeas are highly recommended for the authentic taste and texture. Canned green chickpeas can be used, but they are often softer, so reduce the cooking time. Dried green chickpeas (hara chana) would need to be soaked overnight and pressure-cooked before being used in this recipe, which will significantly alter the flavor and texture.
Store any leftover shaak in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.
To make a vegan version, you can either skip the curd entirely or substitute it with a plant-based yogurt, such as cashew or almond yogurt. The rest of the ingredients are already vegan.
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