This is one of Ashok's classic vegetarian dishes. I got him to show me how to make it today...
Chana means chick pea, and masala usually means spice blend but I guess it's different in this context... more like stew.
He coarsely chops up a bunch of red onions, I would guess around 6 to 8, as well as an assortment of green, red, and yellow peppers... about the same volume as the red onions. These veggies get tossed into a pot with hot oil. I didn't see, but I would have to guess that he added garlic and ginger. Then some spices: cumin seeds, chaat masala, salt, pepper, paprika for colour, and a dash of cayenne. Sauteed for a few minutes, then 4 x 100 0z cans of rinsed chick peas are added with enough water to cover it by an inch or two, brought to a boil, and simmered for 15 to 20 minutes. Finished off with some freshly chopped cilantro.
He said you can also add paneer cheese, diced up to roughly the same size as the chick peas.
The quality of chick peas makes a huge difference, in my opinion. I don't remember what the brand is called, but it's an excellent Canadian-made canned chick pea, better than any other canned chick pea I've had in this city. I know they're good because they're not at all sprouted, don't have a funny taste, have a soft consistent texture, and the water inside the can is relatively clear and thin - not syrupy.