Chole Vegetarian Indian Chickpeas Recipes

INDIAN SPICED CHICKPEA GRAVY (CHOLE) RECIPE

Steps:

• Place the chickpeas in a medium bowl and cover with warm water by 2 inches. Let soak for 12 hours. Transfer soaked chickpeas and their liquid to a pressure cooker. Seal and heat over medium-low heat to low pressure. Cook until chickpeas easily break down, about 25 minutes after they come to pressure. Release pressure and set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add black cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaf, peppercorns, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, and Kashmiri chillies. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Allow to cool and then grind in a coffee grinder till completely powdered.
• Heat oil in the same pan on medium heat until shimmering. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the ginger-garlic paste and stir until the raw smell of the paste disappears, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring, until the tomatoes break down and the oil separates, about 10 minutes. Add dry mango powder and green chillies. Stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the powdered spice blend and stir until fragrant. At this stage, add a few teaspoons of water in case the spices stick to the bottom of the pan as they tend to burn easily. Cook, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Add the boiled chickpeas with the water they were boiled in, stir, and simmer for 10 minutes so that the chickpeas absorb the spices. Garnish with coriander leaves, onion rings and serve with rotis, bhaturas (deep fried bread), or rice.

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.

I CAN'T WAIT FOR CHOLE

Steps:

• In large saucepan over medium heat, heat cumin seeds, bay leaf and cinnamon until very fragrant, swirling around to prevent burning.
• Add ginger and garlic, cooking until the smell of those fills the air, then add onions.
• Saute onions, stirring frequently, and adding drops of water to prevent sticking, until they are translucent.
• Add the tomatoes, coriander, turmeric, salt, and cayenne.
• Check for seasoning, adding more as you prefer.
• Bring to a boil.
• Add garbanzo beans (chickpeas), cover, and reduce heat.
• Simmer on low for 10-15 minutes.
• Stir in garam masala and lemon juice just before serving.
• Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro if you desire.
• Serve with rice, or Indian breads or pitas (breads are best warmed on a hot griddle).

NORTH INDIAN SAAG CHOLE (CHICKPEAS AND GREENS)

Steps:

• Wash mustard greens and spinach until all dirt is gone. Trim and remove all fibrous material, then chop greens and set aside.
• Bring 2 cups water and salt to a boil in a large stockpot. Add mustard greens, spinach, cabbage, and broccoli; cook over medium-high heat until soft, about 10 minutes. Puree with an immersion blender until smooth and creamy.
• Combine 1/2 cup water and corn flour in a bowl to make a runny paste with no lumps. Add it to pureed greens and mix until well combined.
• Cover and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Mixture should be a medium consistency and not too runny; add more water if too thick.
• Heat oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add cumin seeds, then add onions and garlic. Saute until onions are translucent, about 8 minutes.
• Add tomatoes, chile pepper, coriander, and ginger. Season with salt to taste. Add chickpeas and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Gradually stir in cooked greens.