Chana Masala recipe / Chole recipe / Simple And Easy Chole recipe / Chickpeas Curry

Chole or chickpeas curry  is one of very popular punjabi dishes and one of my favorite recipes that I often cook. You can find Chole or chana masala in every restaurant all over India . Usually Chole is served with Bhatura or Puri. 

Today's recipe is very simple and quick. You can cook this in your busy weekdays too.

Here I am using store bought Chole masala. You can make your own masala. For Chole masala , you need to roast all whole spices on low heat till they get browned. Let them cool down and then grind the roasted spices in a dry grinder.

One more thing , If you like the authentic black color of Chole , boil the soaked chickpeas with a tea bag. In this recipe I am not gonna use tea bag because my kid love white Chole .

Let's cook this delicious yet simple curry at home.

Ingredients

• 1 cup chickpeas
• Onion 3 medium size
• Tomatoes 5 to 6 medium size
• Oil 2-3 tbsp
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 tsp peppercorns
• 2 green cardamom 
• 1 small stick cinnamon 
• 2 tbsp Chole  masala
• 1tsp garam masala
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/4 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp dry mango powder or amchur( if using home made masala)
• Salt to taste
• Cilantro for garnishing

Spices for chole masala

• 2 tbsp coriander seed
• 2 small bay leaves
• 1 small stick cinnamon 
• 1 black cardamom 
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 2 dry red chillies
• 2-3 cloves
• 1/4 tsp peppercorns

Method

Rinse and soak 1 cup chickpeas(Chole ) in enough water as Chole increase in size overnight.

Boil soaked chickpeas with 4-5 cups of water , a tea bag and 1/4 tsp salt. If  you want white Chole like mine , simply add water and 1/4 tsp salt and boil them.

Pressure cook chickpeas for 6 to 10 whistle . The Chole should be soft enough. They should not be hard when you press them with a spoon.

Chop the onions finely and grind the tomatoes to make a purée .

Heat the oil in a pan.

Add bay leaf ,cardamom and peppercorns. I am not adding cinnamon because I am running out of it.

After a while add onions . Sauté till they are golden.

Add tomato purée and sauté it.

After 2 mins , add Chole masala , garam masala , turmeric powder and chilly powder .

Mix it and add little water.

Cook the masala for 2 mins or until oil and masala get separated.

Add boiled Chole to this cooked masala .

Mix it well. Add the drained water that we kept earlier . Add salt to taste.

Put the lid on . Cook the Chole for another 10 to 15 mins or until gravy gets thickened.

Garnish with finely chopped cilantro.

Serve with hot puris or bhature.