Chole/Chana Masala

Time for some north Indian food .....

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Chickpeas/Kabuli Chana

• 1 Onion finely chopped

• 1 Tomato finely chopped 

• 3-4 Peppercorns 

• 2-3 Cloves

• 1 Inch Cinnamon stick

• 1 Tea bag

• 2 Cups of water

• 5 Tsp ghee/clarified butter

• 1-1/2 Tsp ginger thinly slices 

• 1-1/2 Tsp red chili powder

• 1/4 Tsp turmeric powder

• 1 Tsp coriander powder

• 1/2 Tsp cumin powder

• 1/2 Tsp amchur Powder/Dry mango powder

• 1/4 Tsp kasuri methi/ Fenugreek leaves 

• 1/2 Tsp garam Masala

• 1/2 Tsp Black salt /Kala namak

• 1 Tsp chole masala

• 1 tsp curd(optional)

• Handful of Coriander 

Method

• Wash kabuli chana under running water.

• Soak the chana in water for about 8-10 hrs.

• In a pressure cooker add the chana, add the tea bag, peppercorns, cloves, salt , 1/2 tsp of ginger and cinnamon stick and pressure cook the chana for 2-3 whistles.

• Once the kabuli chana's are cooked, remove the extra water from the cooker and keep the water aside.

• Add all the spices, ginger, black salt and give it a slight stir.

• In a separate pan/wok add 3-4 tsp of ghee and heat it.

• Now to cook the spices pour the hot ghee over the mixture of spices and kabuli chana's mixture.

• Now take a pan, add 2 tsp of ghee and add finely chopped onion.

• Add a pinch of salt so that the onions become soft.

• Once the onions turn brown,add the tomato. Fry the above mixture till the tomatoes turn mushy.

• Now add the kabuli chana mixture and give it a nice stir.

• Add the curd this is optional as this will make the chole a little sour. I love it a little sour so i add a little curd.

• Add salt as per taste.

• Garnish this with finely chopped coriander leaves.

• Serve it hot with bhature or Aloo tikki.