Chole Recipe is a popular North Indian dish made with chickpeas, onion, tomato, ginger, garlic, and a variety of spices. It is typically served with Bhatura or rice.
About Chole Recipe:
Chole is a delicious and hearty dish that is loved by many people, especially in North India.
One of the main reasons to make Chole Masala is that it is incredibly easy to prepare. All you need are some basic ingredients like chickpeas, onions, tomatoes, and a few spices. The chickpeas are soaked overnight and pressure cooked until they are soft and tender. They are then mixed with a spicy tomato-onion gravy that is flavoured with aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala. The result is a flavourful and filling dish that can be enjoyed with a variety of Indian bread like Bhature, Naan, or Kulcha.
Chole is a delicious and nutritious dish that is easy to prepare and customize. Whether you are a seasoned cook or a beginner, you can easily make this recipe at home and impress your family and friends with your culinary skills. So, why not give it a try and enjoy a flavourful and satisfying meal?
Why you Should Make this Recipe?
Comfort food: I always love to have a bowl of hot Chana masala during winter. Chole is the ultimate comfort food when you are feeling down. The warmth and spiciness of the dish can instantly lift your mood and make you feel better.
Crowd-pleaser: Chole is a dish that everyone loves, regardless of age or dietary preferences. It is a perfect dish to serve at parties or potlucks as it can be made in large quantities and can be paired with a variety of bread or rice.
Cost-effective: Chole is an inexpensive dish that can be made using easily available ingredients. It is a great option for budget-friendly meals that are both filling and nutritious.
Easy to store: Chole can be easily stored in the fridge or freezer and reheated later. It is a great option for meal prep as it can be made in large batches and enjoyed for 2-3 days.
Health benefits: Chole is not only delicious but also incredibly nutritious. It is a rich source of protein and fiber, which can help keep you full for longer and aid in weight loss.
It also contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can boost your immune system and protect against chronic diseases.
Versatile: You can enjoy Chole in many different ways. You can serve as a main dish with bread or rice, or used as a filling for sandwiches or wraps. It can also be used as a topping for salads or mixed with yoghurt to make a delicious dip.
Looking for Some more Indian Vegetarian Curries:
Pro Tips:
- Soak the chickpeas overnight: Soaking the chickpeas overnight makes them easier to cook and also improves their texture. It also helps remove any anti-nutrients and makes them more digestible.
- Use a pressure cooker or Instant Pot: Using a pressure cooker or Instant Pot can save you a lot of time and effort. It also helps cook the chickpeas more evenly and makes them softer and creamier.
- Don’t skimp on the oil: While it’s important to avoid adding too much oil or ghee, don’t skimp on it either. The oil or ghee helps bring out the flavours of the spices and also gives the dish a rich and creamy texture.
- Use fresh ingredients: Using fresh ingredients like ginger, garlic, and tomatoes can make a big difference in the flavour of the dish. Avoid using canned tomatoes or pre-made ginger-garlic paste, as they can affect the taste of the dish.
Basic Ingredients Used to Make this Recipe:
Punjabi Chole uses a variety of basic ingredients that are easy to find and provide a range of nutritional benefits. While there are some substitutes available, it’s best to stick to the original ingredients to get the authentic flavour of the dish.
Chickpeas: Chickpeas are the star ingredient of Chole and are a good source of protein, fibre, and essential nutrients like iron, folate, and manganese. They are also low in fat and calories, making them a healthy addition to your diet.
Onions: Onions are used to add flavour and texture to the Chole.
Tomatoes: Tomatoes are used to make the gravy for Chole and provide a tangy flavour to the dish. You can substitute fresh tomatoes with canned tomatoes or tomato paste. But fresh tomatoes work well with this recipe.
Ginger and garlic: Ginger and garlic are used to add a depth of flavour to the Chole. They are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties and are good for digestion.
Spices: Spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, and red chilli powder, chole masala powder are used to add flavour and colour to the Chole. You can use only pre-made chole masala which you can buy from the store rather than adding individual masala.
Anardana Powder: Often used in Chole recipes to add a tangy and slightly sweet flavour to the dish. It helps balance the flavours and adds a depth of flavour that is not found in other spices. Anardana powder also adds a nutritional boost to the dish.
Dry Kasturi Methi Leaves: Kasturi methi has a slightly bitter and pungent taste, which pairs well with the spices used in Chole. It also adds a fragrant aroma to the dish, making it more appetizing.
Tea: Tea is sometimes used in Chole recipes as a natural colouring agent. It is used to give the dish a darker colour and enhance its appearance. It’s important to note that using tea to colour Chole is a matter of personal preference, and some people choose not to use it at all. If you don’t want to use tea, you can still make delicious Chole without it.
Others: Apart from the above ingredients you would be needing black cardamom, cinnamon stick and cloves.
Chole Bhature Recipe
Ingredients
- 250 gms White Chickpeas / Kabuli Chana
- 3 Tomatoes roughly chopped
- 2 Onion roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp Ginger-garlic paste
- 3-4 Green Chilli
- 1 tsp Coriander Powder
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder or to taste
- 2 tbsp Chole Masala Powder
- 1 tsp Anardana Powder or Amchur Powder
- 1 pcs Black Cardamom
- 1 pcs Cinnamon Stick
- 4-5 nos Cloves
- 1 tsp Dry Kasturi Methi roasted
- 2 tsp Tea
- 4 tbsp Oil
- Salt to taste
To Temper
- 1 tbsp Ghee
- 1/4 tsp Asafoetida
- 2″ Ginger Julienne
- 2-3 Green Chilli slit in between
Instructions
- Grind onion and tomato separately to make a smooth paste. Set aside.
- Add 4 tbsp oil in a pressure cooker in a medium heat.
- Add ground onion to it. Stir well.
- Add cinnamon stick, cloves and black cardamom.
- Fry onion until golden brown stirring in between.
- Add little water and keep frying so that the onion gets cooked well and develop a nice taste.
- Now add ginger-garlic paste to it and fry for few minutes.
- Now add ground tomato and salt to it.
- Keep frying this mixture until the oil separates.
- Now add coriander powder, anardana powder, chole masala powder, haldi powder and red chilli powder.
- Fry these spices for about 4-5 minutes or until the raw smell of masala goes off and the oil separates.
- Now add chole along with water as needed.
- In a separate pan add one bowl of water and let it boil.
- Once the water gets boiled add 2 tsp tea to it.
- Let the tea brew well and then strain.
- Add this water to the chole masala.
- Now close the lid of the pressure cooker and cook for about 7-8 whistle.
- Now switch off the gas and let the pressure release naturally.
- Now open the lid of pressure cooker.
- Add the roasted kasturi methi leaves and mix well.
- Now take a small tadka pan, add ghee in it.
- Add asafoetida, ginger and green chillies to it.
- Cook this tempering for 1 minute.
- Add this tadka to the chole we prepared and mix well.
- So the tasty chole recipe is ready to be served along with Bhature.
- This can also be served along with roti, rice, puri, paratha or naan.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions About Chole Recipe:
Can I use canned chickpeas to make Chole?
Yes, you can use canned chickpeas to make Chole. However, it is important to rinse the chickpeas thoroughly before using them to remove any excess salt or preservatives.
Can I make Chole without onion and garlic?
Yes, you can make Chole without onion and garlic. Simply omit these ingredients and adjust the spices to your liking.
Can Chole be made ahead of time?
Yes, Chole can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. And heat properly before serving. But I would advise you to make it fresh and eat it fresh.
How long does it take to cook Chole?
Chole typically takes about 45 minutes to an hour to cook. However, if you are using an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, it can be cooked much faster.
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Note: This recipe for chole was published on February 4, 2019. Has now been republished on March 29, 2023.
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