Chana Aloo Masala (Chickpea and Potato Masala)

Directions

1. 1
   Peel the potato and cut it into one-inch cubes.
2. 2
   Place the cubes in a sauce pot, add enough water to cover the potatoes by one inch, and bring the pot to a boil over high heat. Boil the potatoes for 5-7 minutes, or until they can easily be pierced with a fork.
3. 3
   Drain the potatoes and set them aside.Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and peel and grate the ginger (use a small-holed cheese grater).
4. 4
   Add the olive oil, onion, garlic, and ginger to a large deep skillet and saut over medium heat until the onions are soft and transparent (3-5 minutes).
5. 5
   Add the garam masala to the skillet and continue to saut for about a minute more to toast the spices. It's okay if the spices begin to stick to the surface of the skillet slightly, but be sure not to let them burn.
6. 6
   Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to the skillet. Stir to dissolve the tomato paste into the crushed tomatoes and to dissolve the spices off the bottom of the skillet. Allow the sauce to heat through (about five minutes). Taste the sauce and add salt as needed (I added tsp salt).
7. 7
   Drain the chickpeas, then add them to the skillet along with the cooked potatoes. Stir everything to coat in the hot sauce, then heat through. Spoon the Chana Aloo Masala over cooked rice (or serve with naan), topped with chopped cilantro and a dollop of plain yogurt (regular or Greek style).