Lily's Recipe For Channa Masala

SOMETIMES the simple dishes are the best. At Lily's, the much-praised vegetarian Indian restaurant in Ashton-under-Lyne, their customers' favourite is the humble chickpea curry, Channa Masala.

Lily's is full of dishes like this – authentic, vegetarian Indian food that shows you don't need expensive ingredients to make something special

A few basic ingredients, a handful of spices and fresh coriander combine to create a homely, wholesome dish that grows on you with every mouthful. It's the kind of thing you find yourself craving when you're tired and hungry, and one that's happily very easy to create at home (recipe below).

Lily's is full of dishes like this – authentic, vegetarian Indian food that shows you don't need expensive ingredients to make something special. Their chefs are from four different region of India and each has brought their own recipes and cooking styles to Lily's. The result is a culinary tour of the country, taking in its most popular street food, snacks, sweets, soups and curries.

And it's all good stuff. Lily's was recently nominated for the 'Cheap Eat' award at Manchester Food and Drink Festival, and it won Tameside Food and Drink Festival's Outstanding Achievement Award.

The channa masala at Lily's is just £5  - go and try it. And while you're there, we recommend you stock up on the ingredients to make your own at the ASM Grocery next door. This store is owned by the same family as Lily's and sells fruit, veg and a huge range of cook's ingredients for Indian, Chinese, Mexican and Italian food, at bargain prices.

If you're a fan of Indian food, whether cooking it or eating it, Lily's and ASM Grocery are well worth a visit.

Lily's is situated just opposite the tram station in Ashton-under-Lyne. There's free parking outside. Find out more at our Lily's pages.