Black Chickpea Pickled Rice (Kala Chana Achari Pulav )

I love black chickpeas (kala chana) and so black chickpea with rice is one of my favourite combo. I usually make black chickpea (gravy one) and, plain rice separately; and enjoy them by mixing them together. However today for the first time I made it this Pulav and it was too good. It is quick, easy and a tasty recipe.

Being low in fat, high in dietary fibre and rich in vitamins and minerals, black chickpeas can indeed be a very healthy addition to one’s diet. Two to three tablespoons of these legumes are equivalent to one portion of the daily recommended five portions of fruits and vegetables.

The fat content is very low, with only 4 grams per serving. For individuals on high-protein diets, this is an excellent choice. It packs a whopping 15 grams of protein per 1 cup serving. Each cup of cooked black chickpeas also contains 45 grams of carbohydrates.

The ingredients for the Kala Chana Achari  Pulav are :

1. Black Chickpea (kala chana) : 1 1/2 cup
2. Rice : 2 cup
3. Pickle : 1/4 cup
4. Tomato : 2
5. Oil/ clarified butter (ghee) : 2 Tbsp
6. Cumin seeds : 1 tsp
7. Cloves : 5
8. Bay leaf : 2
9. Black cardamom : 2-3
10. Black Pepper : 20-25
11. Salt : to taste
12. Lemon juice : 1-2 tsp
13. Fresh coriander : 2-3 Tbsp

Method :

Wash the black chickpeas and soak them overnight in enough water. Post that, boil the black chickpeas and keep them aside.

Wash the rice and soak in water. Cut the tomatoes into wedges.

Heat oil/ clarified butter in a wok and temper with cumin seeds, cloves, bay leaf, black cardamom, black pepper and sauté for a minute.

Now add the boiled black chickpeas and sauté for one minute. Now add rice in it and mix it well. Then add pickle and sauté for a minute.

Add 1.5 cups of water (use the soaked water of black chickpeas), salt and mix it well. Add tomato wedges and 2.5 cups of water and cook covered till the rice is done ( it will take about 8-10 minutes).  Switch off the heat.

Now add lemon juice, coriander leaves and mix it well. Your delicious Kala Chana Pulav is ready to be served.

Insider Tips / Finer Points :

• Feel free to add chilli pickle, mango pickle or any pickle of your choice.