Ingredients:

For Channa Masala:

• 1 cup cooked chickpeas (canned or cooked from dried)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, pureed
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• 1 green chili, finely chopped (adjust to your spice preference)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder (adjust to taste)
• Salt to taste
• 2-3 tbsp cooking oil
• Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

For Pasta:

• 2 cups pasta of your choice (e.g., penne or fusilli)
• Water for boiling
• Salt for boiling

Instructions:

1. Start by cooking the pasta. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt to the boiling water and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it's al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. While the pasta is cooking, you can prepare the channa masala. Heat the cooking oil in a large pan or skillet over medium heat.

3. Add the cumin seeds and let them splutter. Then add the finely chopped onions and sauté until they become soft and translucent.

4. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and green chili. Sauté for another couple of minutes until the raw aroma disappears.

5. Stir in the ground coriander, ground cumin, turmeric, red chili powder, and garam masala. Cook the spices for a minute or two to release their flavors.

6. Pour in the tomato puree and cook until the oil starts to separate from the mixture and it thickens. This might take about 8-10 minutes.

7. Add the cooked chickpeas to the tomato mixture and stir well to combine. Simmer for a few more minutes to heat the chickpeas through. If the mixture is too dry, you can add a bit of water.

8. Season with salt to taste and adjust the spice level if needed.

9. Now, combine the cooked pasta with the channa masala. Mix well so that the pasta gets coated with the flavorful channa masala sauce.

10. Serve your Channa Pasta hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.

This fusion dish combines the best of both worlds, offering the richness of Indian spices and the comfort of Italian pasta. Enjoy your Channa Pasta!