Black Garbanzo Beans Salad ( Kala Channa Salad)

It is Monday and the time to make u for those weekend indulgences. At least, that is the case with me and my family. After two days of eating junk food, high calorie restaurant stuff, pizza or even numerous sweets, we settle for a simple rice and dalma fare on Mondays. Apart from the loads of vegetables that goes into the dalma, we also opt for some variety of stir fried vegetables and a humongous amount of salad. It not only provides a much needed respite to the digestive system but also makes one feel happy about eating healthy.

Kala channa is yet another variety of Garbanzo beans that is very popular in India. This cholesterol free legume is rich in fiber, Manganese, Tryptophan, Fiber, Folate, and Molybdenum and provide essential nutrients like Phosphorus, Iron, Copper and Protein . It helps in digestion, lowers homocysteine levels,  strengthen the heart muscles, benefits women suffering from hot flashes and reduces the chances of gastric ulcers.

This is a simple salad that I prepared with boiled kala channa and lots of veggies . Read on for the recipe -

Preparation Time - 15-20 mins

Ingredients -

• 3/4 cup black garbanzo beans/kala channa
• 1 cucumber ( peeled and finely sliced )
• 1 medium sized tomato ( finely sliced )
• 1 medium onion ( finely sliced )
• carrots/peppers/lettuce (optional)
• 2-3 green chilis ( finely chopped )
• 1/4 tsp chaat masala
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp olive oil
• pinch of turmeric
• salt to taste

Preparation - Soak the kala channa overnight or for 8 hours. Wash thoroughly and cook with 1 cup water, salt and turmeric for 3-4 whistles. Keep aside for steam to escape. Drain off excess water.

Take all the ingredients (listed above) in a mixing bowl. Add salt as per taste. Mix well.

Serve immediately or chill for 10-15 mind before serving.