Chickpea Masala

Ingredients

• 1 cup Patak's Rogan Josh Sauce
• 275g (10oz) dried chickpeas*
• 2 teabags
• 2 black cardamom pods (optional)
• 5 green cardamom pods
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 2cm (3/4 inch) piece of root ginger, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 green chilli, chopped (optional)
• 1 large onion finely chopped
• 3 ripe tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped
• 2 tbsp thick Greek yogurt
• Juice of half a lime
• Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
• Pinch of sugar

Instructions

1. In a bowl soak the chickpeas with the teabags and two litres (70 fl oz) of water. Cover and leave to soak overnight.
2. Remove the tea bags and boil the chickpeas in the liquid, adding the black cardamom pods, green cardamom pods and bay leaf. Cover and simmer over a low heat for one - two hours, or until the chickpeas are soft and cooked through. Skim off any scum that has formed on the surface, during cooking. Drain the chickpeas and reserve the cooking liquid. Discard the whole spices.
3. In a pan heat the oil on a medium flame and add the cumin seeds. Once they begin to sizzle add the garlic, ginger and green chilli (if using). Sauté for one minute before adding the onions.
4. Cook for five minutes or until they turn golden brown before stirring in Patak's Rogan Josh Sauce. If the mixture starts to stick to the pan then add approx 150 ml (1/4 pint) of the reserved cooking liquid.
5. After three minutes add the chopped tomatoes and sugar and cook for five minutes before adding the cooked chickpeas. (If using canned chickpeas, add them here along with some of the tea-infused liquid.)
6. Add 150 ml (1/4 pint) of the reserved cooking liquid, cover and cook for a further ten minutes before checking the seasoning. Remove from the heat, stir in the yoghurt and squeeze in some lime juice. Sprinkle with fresh coriander and serve piping hot.