Chole Chickpea Stew Recipes

SHORTCUT CHHOLE (CHICKPEA AND TOMATO STEW)

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the oil. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add the cumin seeds and fenugreek and cook, stirring, until they turn a medium shade of brown, no more than 30 seconds. Add the turmeric, cloves, and cinnamon stick and cook for another minute, until the turmeric has mostly dissolved into the oil and the spices become very fragrant. Toss in the onion and ginger and saute until the onion is translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Increase the heat to high, add the tomatoes, and cook until they have fully wilted, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
• Reduce the heat to medium and add the chickpeas, lime juice, yogurt, and salt. Use a potato masher or the back of a fork to mash the chickpeas slightly so they become incorporated with the sauce (but don't go too crazy -- you want to leave the chickpeas relatively intact). Cook, uncovered, until the chickpeas have taken on a soft, baked potato-like texture, 20 to 25 minutes. Taste and adjust the salt if needed. Garnish with the cilantro before serving.

CHOLE (VEGETARIAN INDIAN CHICKPEAS)

Steps:

• Heat oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Saute onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, and anise; stir. Add chickpeas, tomato sauce, water, chile powder, garam masala, salt, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and clove. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until chickpeas start to soften, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Mash some of the chickpeas directly in the pot to give the sauce a chunkier consistency. Cover and continue simmering, stirring occasionally, until flavors come together, about 15 minutes. Remove star anise pieces and clove before serving.

EASY CHICKPEA STEW

Steps:

• In a medium size Dutch oven (or other pot), heat the olive oil.
• Add the onions and red pepper and cook over medium high heat, stirring for about 5 minutes or until golden brown.
• Add the carrots and red potato and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Add the cauliflower, garlic, ginger and jalapeno, and cook another 2-3 minutes.
• Add the cumin, paprika, turmeric and tomato paste and stir to blend into the vegetables.
• Add the vegetable broth and chickpeas and bring to a simmer.
• Cove pot and simmer over low heat for about 12 - 15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
• Add the coconut milk and bring back to a simmer.
• Serve with chopped cilantro.

SPICED CHICKPEA STEW WITH COCONUT AND TURMERIC

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup oil in a large pot over medium. Add garlic, onion and ginger. Season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally until onion is translucent and starts to brown a little at the edges, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add 1 1/2 teaspoons turmeric, 1 teaspoon red-pepper flakes, and the chickpeas, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, so the chickpeas sizzle and fry a bit in the spices and oil, until they've started to break down and get a little browned and crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove about a cup of chickpeas and set aside for garnish.
• Using a wooden spoon or spatula, further crush the remaining chickpeas slightly to release their starchy insides. (This will help thicken the stew.) Add coconut milk and stock, and season with salt and pepper.
• Bring to a simmer, scraping up any bits that have formed on the bottom of the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until stew has thickened, 30 to 35 minutes. (Taste a chickpea or two, not just the liquid, to make sure they have simmered long enough to be as delicious as possible.) If after 30 to 35 minutes, you want the stew a bit thicker, keep simmering until you've reached your desired consistency. Determining perfect stew thickness is a personal journey!
• Add greens and stir, making sure they're submerged in the liquid. Cook until they wilt and soften, 3 to 7 minutes, depending on what you're using. (Swiss chard and spinach will wilt and soften much faster than kale or collard greens.) Season again with salt and pepper.
• Divide among bowls and top with mint, reserved chickpeas, a sprinkle of red-pepper flakes and a good drizzle of olive oil. Serve alongside yogurt and toasted pita if using; dust the yogurt with turmeric if you'd like.

CHOLE WITH CUMIN RICE & RAITA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the onions over a low heat for 10 mins until starting to brown. Add 3 tsp of the cumin, the ginger, garlic and curry powder. Stir for a minute to keep the spices from burning.
• Tip in the chickpeas and the liquid from the can, along with the tomato purée, 20g of the coriander and some seasoning. Simmer over a low heat for about 10 mins. Add a splash of water if it looks too dry.
• Meanwhile, rinse and drain the rice, add the remaining 1 tsp cumin seeds, 2 litres of boiling water and seasoning. Cook for about 10 mins, or until the rice is tender. Drain.
• For the raita, grate the cucumber and stir it into the yogurt with the cumin, mint and the remaining coriander. Season, scatter over the pomegranate seeds, then serve alongside the chole and rice.