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A casserole with Punjabi chole recipe.
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Chole Recipe - Punjabi Chole Masala

If you're a fan of Indian cuisine, chances are you've tried chole masala - a spicy, flavorful dish made with chickpeas. But have you ever wondered how to make chole recipe yourself? In this guide, we'll give you all the tips and tricks you need to create the perfect chole dish every time.
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Indian, Punjabi
Keyword chole recipe, punjabi chole recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 331kcal

Ingredients

  • ½ lb Chickpeas dried (soaked overnight)
  • 2 tbsp Cooking oil
  • 1 tbsp Ghee
  • 1 tsp Cumin seeds
  • 1 large Green chillies finely chopped
  • 2 large Tomatoes blended into a puree
  • ½ cup Cilantro leaves chopped
  • 2 large Bay leaves
  • 2 Whole cloves
  • 3 inch Cinnamon stick
  • 2 Green cardamoms

Wet masala paste

  • 1 large Onions
  • 3 inch Fresh ginger roughly chopped
  • 4 large Garlic cloves

Chole masala (roast and blend in spice grinder)

  • 1 tsp Chili powder or Cayenne
  • 1 tsp Sweet smoked paprika or more cayenne
  • ½ tsp Cumin powder jeera powder
  • 1 tbsp Coriander powder dhania powder
  • ½ tsp Turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp Garam masala
  • 1 tsp Fennel seeds Sauf
  • 1 tsp Pomegranate seed powder Anardana (optional)
  • 1 tsp Ginger powder Sonth (optional)
  • ½ tsp Dry mango powder Amchoor powder

Instructions

  • Soak - To make the perfect chole recipe, start by soaking the chickpeas overnight. The next day, cook them in a pressure cooker on high with plenty of water and a pinch of salt until they are tender.
    Pro tip - A stovetop pressure cooker will need 5 to 6 whistles and an instant pot will need 25 minutes on high.
    ½ lb Chickpeas
  • Chole spice mix - In a small bowl combine all the spice mix ingredients and set aside.
    1 tsp Chili powder, 1 tsp Sweet smoked paprika, ½ tsp Cumin powder, 1 tbsp Coriander powder, ½ tsp Turmeric powder, 1 tsp Fennel seeds, 1 tsp Pomegranate seed powder, 1 tsp Ginger powder, ½ tsp Dry mango powder, 1 tsp Garam masala
  • Wet masala - In a food processor or blender, add the onion, garlic, and ginger. Blend until smooth. Set aside.
    1 large Onions, 3 inch Fresh ginger, 4 large Garlic cloves
  • Tomato puree - To the same food processor or blender, add the chopped tomato and blend until smooth. Set aside separately.
  • Sauté - Heat oil and ghee in a large pan and add cumin seeds, whole spices, and green chilies and sauté for 30 seconds, Then, add the onion/wet masala paste. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent and the garlic is fragrant. Add in the tomato puree and cook for a few minutes until the mixture thickens.
    2 tbsp Cooking oil, 1 tbsp Ghee, 1 tsp Cumin seeds, 1 large Green chillies, 2 large Tomatoes, 2 large Bay leaves, 2 Whole cloves, 3 inch Cinnamon stick, 2 Green cardamoms
  • Gravy - Now it's time to add the chole spice mix powder and sauté until fragrant. Add the sugar and combine well.
    Pro tip - give the spices time to sauté and perfume. If necessary add a few tablespoons of water if the mixture is too thick.
  • Chole- Finally, add the cooked chickpeas to the mixture and simmer for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro leaves.
    ½ cup Cilantro leaves

Notes

To make a truly exceptional chole recipe, it's important to pay attention to the little details. Here are some tips to elevate your dish:
  • Use high-quality spices: Invest in fresh, high-quality spices for the best flavor. Toasting them before adding them to the dish will enhance their aroma and deepen their flavor.
  • Cook the chickpeas properly: It's important to cook the chickpeas until they are tender but not mushy. Undercooked chickpeas will be hard and unpleasant to eat, while overcooked ones will fall apart.
  • Adjust the seasoning: Taste the chole as it cooks and adjust the seasoning accordingly. Add more salt or sugar if needed, and consider adding a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten up the flavors.
  • Simmer for longer: While the recipe calls for simmering the chole for at least 10 minutes, you can let it simmer for longer to develop a richer flavor. Just be sure to keep an eye on it and add more liquid if needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 331kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 127mg | Potassium: 1877mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 2915IU | Vitamin C: 187mg | Calcium: 458mg | Iron: 16mg