There is no north Indian caterer, who would not be judged on his skills, by this dish. The quintessential 'Punjabi Chole' or 'Channa Masala' .Better known as the versatile chickpeas curry.Use it for main course, as the mighty Chole.Use it in appetizer like 'Chole tikki' by serving fried potato patties and chutneys mint & tamarind/date.As 'Chaat' by topping a samosa or kachori. Serve it as breakfast as the 'Channa bhatura' or 'Chole Bhature'.Basically,fried pancakes served with chickpeas.
This is one of the best served snacks and breakfast.You will fall in love with this curry over and over again.You can make it many ways.Also, serve it in many ways.
Serving suggestions
Serve it with rice or tandoori roti if making it vegan.
For a vegan option,serve it with chapathi or bread.
Other ways of serving it for vegetarian options,serve it with chapati/kulcha/naan or the best Bhature.Pickled onions and lemon wedges go well with this meal.
Ways of making Chickpea curry/chole
Method 1: Make your own spice blend as in the below recipe.Soak chickpeas overnight and make it the traditional way.
Method 2:Use canned chickpeas work for a quick fix of making the curry.This works if you got no time to cook.
Or Method 3: Soak chickpeas in hot water for 3-4 hours if you want to make it for dinner.
Although there is nothing like making it from scratch.
I even love eating some boiled chickpeas on-the-go while I cook.
Best part of this gravy is it makes the dish plentiful.You serve it with love and richness.
Why this bhatura is better than normal bhatura?
There are ways of making bhature too.
Method 1: Use plain flour + yeast
Method 2: Use plain flour +soda+ yogurt
Or Method 3: Use plain flour+ wheat flour ,results in darker ones.
Traditional method is using plain flour and frying it.However,the plain flour ones get really rubbery and hard to eat if you leave it for a while.You cannot eat them on room temperature.We gave it much thought.How to improve the bhatura?
Method 4: Our method below with flax-seeds.
We added flax-seeds to this traditional recipe.
Use our method to make bhature with a difference.Flax seeds increase elasticity yet doesn't give you that rubbery feel at room temperature.Fiber content of bhatura also improves and thus,your junk food becomes tad bit healthy.One big concern for all mums with growing toddlers and kids.
Why is there undying love for chole bhature?
There are many people who owe a living to chole bhature or chole kulche across north India.Some sell it on carts while others at their hotels or sweet-shops.There is one chola bhatura counter at every north Indian wedding.It is the first choice of snack at get-togethers and birthday celebrations at home.Such is the love for this chickpea masala.
The taste may vary and change with every cook in the house yet it conquers all.
Steps to cook the channa masala/pindi chole
The masala mix for this recipe can be prepared in advanced and stored in the fridge/freezer for months.
Choice of ingredients that can add the sour taste to the curry.
There are different options to choose to add sourness to the curry. I prefer a combination of tomatoes and 'anardana'
Steps to make chole masala/channa masala
Step by step pictures for making the bhatura/fried bread
Scroll below to read the recipe of Chole Bhature/Channa Bhatura
Chole Bhature is one of the most loved Indian Meals.Serve it hot with dips and onions.
Ingredients
- 1 cinnamon stick/dalchini
- 1 tsp black pepper/sabut kali mirch
- 1 tbsp. cumin seeds/jeera
- 1 tsp methi dana/fenugreek seeds
- 1/4 cup tbsp coriander seeds/dhania
- 2-3 bay leaves/tej patta
- 1 to 2 dry red chillies/sookhi lal mirch
- 3-4 cloves/laung
- 4 small elaichi/choti elaichi
- 2 Black cardamom/badi elaichi
- 2 cup chole/chana/chickpeas. soaked overnight
- 1/2 cup chana dal/split chickpeas,soaked overnight
- 3 medium onions, chopped
- 1 tomato,pureed
- 2 tbsp channa masala*(above spice mix)
- 2 tbsp anardana/dried pomegranate seeds,powdered or amchur/dried mango powder
- 1/4 cup oil
- 1 tbsp adrak mirchi/ginger-chilli
- 1 tea bag/1 cup black tea(optional)
- Salt as per taste
- 2.5 cup maida /plain flour
- 1/4 cup flax seeds+ 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 tsp soda
- 3/4 cup dahi /yogurt
- 2tbsp. sooji/semolina
- For frying: oil
Instructions
- Roast the spices on low flame in a metal pan,till they get extra browned.
- Let theses roasted spices cool and then grind them finely in a dry grinder.Store this in an air-tight bottle for future use.
- In a pressure cooker,heat oil and add ginger-chilli to it.
- Add chopped onions to it with salt.
- Let it cook,once it has turned dark brown, add tomatoes and mix well.
- Keep a small portion of chickpeas aside and add remaining the chickpeas.
- Mash the small portion of chickpeas and add it to the pot to boil.
- Add the tea bag with 2-3 cups of water.
- Let it cook for 15-20 minutes.
- Now,add dried pomegranate powder/mango powder with chole masala.
- Cook for 10-15 minutes ,turn off the heat.Add water if required.
- Mix the flax seed meal with 1 cup warm water and keep it aside.
- Mix the flour,soda and semolina with a spoon.
- Add yogurt and flax-seed meal to it.
- Knead well and let it rest for 30 mins.
- Later,Divide the flour in equal portions.
- Roll them with a rolling pin and fry them in hot oil in a wok.
- Serve hot with pickled onions,pindi chole and lemon wedges.
Notes
Notes: You can boil the chole first and then add the boiled chole to the gravy. Simmer it with the gravy on low flame for 10-15 mins. 2. If you don't have dried pomegranate seeds then you can use tomato puree/mango powder/tamarind in the curry. 3. Although home masala masala provides a nice aroma to this recipe you can also use pre-packed chana masala or garam masala
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