Ingredients
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FOR INSTANT HOMEMADE CHOLE MASALA
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8 - 10 Black pepper
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2 small Black cardamom
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2 - 3 Green cardamom
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1/4 tspn Dry Fenugreek leaves
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1/4 tspn Jeera
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1 inch Cinnamon stick
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1 Star anise
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2 -3 Cloves
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1/4 tspn fenugreek seeds
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1 tspn Coriander seeds
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2 - 3 Whole red chilli
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1/4 tspn asafoetida
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FOR GRAVY
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less than 1/4 tspn Mustard seeds
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1/4 tspn Jeera
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1/4 tspn Fennel seeds
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1 large Bay leaf
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1/2 inch Cinnamon
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2 Green cardamom
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1 small Black cardamom
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1 large Onion chopped
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2 medium Tomato puree
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1 tspn Ginger garlic paste
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As req. Green chilli chopped
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few Curry leaves
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1/4 tspn asafoetida
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1 tspn kashmiri chilli powder
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1/4 tspn Turmeric powder
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1/4 tspn Jeera powder
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3/4 tspn Coriander powder
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1/2 tspn or as req. Degi chilli powder
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1/2 tspn Crushed kasuri methi
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salt
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1 tspn Honey
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Chopped coriander leaves
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FOR PREPARING CHOLE (CHICKPEAS)
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1 cup (Baking cup) Soak chickpeas overnight
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1 Tea bag
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1 inch cinnamon
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1 star anise
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1 black cardamom
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salt
Directions
The most famous type of chole recipe is the Amritsari chole, and the second one is the Peshawar chole.
The only difference in both the chiles is that the first one is medium spicy and darker in color. The second one is reddish in color, and it is often tasted very spicy.
I love the Punjabi dhaba-style chole masala, which we will be seeing in this article today.
One of the reasons I enjoy making chole at home is that it is both filling and versatile. As a working mom, I often look for recipes that can satisfy the whole family without requiring multiple side dishes. A bowl of flavorful chole paired with poori, paratha, or jeera rice can easily become a complete meal.
What I particularly like about this Punjabi dhaba-style version is the rich aroma of freshly roasted spices. The homemade chole masala adds a depth of flavor that is difficult to achieve with store-bought spice blends.
For preparing chole:
Soak chole overnight and pressure cook for upto 5 whistles. 1 high whistle and 4 slow whistles. set it aside.
I like the cholla to be white in color; as such, I don’t add tea bags or any flavour to it.
But another method is that while setting it to pressure cook, add a tea bag to enrich it with a darker color. along with few mixed indian whole spices like, bay leaf, cinnamon, star anise, black cardamom, etc.
For preparing instant chole masala powder:
In a fry pan just dry roast all the spices mentioned under the ingredient list. Grind to fine powder and set it aside.
For preparing gravy:
- In a wide chatty pan, add oil and mustard seeds to splutter; jeera, fennel seeds (saunf), bay leaf, cinnamon stick, and cardamom. You can add all these together at once instead of adding them one by one. so that the spices cook evenly.
- Add chopped tomato, curry leaf, chopped green chilli, ginger-garlic paste and cook well submerged under the oil. Add a spoonful of chole masala that was prepared instantly. along with kashmiri chilli powder, degi chilli powder, turmeric, coriander and jeera powder.
- Add the cooked chole and sauté in the spice for a couple of minutes. so as to infuse the whole with the flavors. Let the whole thing cook to a point until it gets mashed within one press when you pinch it.
- If the chowder is just cooked, then it would not absorb all the flavors.
- Add tomato puree along with salt, simmer and bring to a good boil. Garnish with finely chopped coriander.
- complement with poori, paratha, jeera rice and raita.
Tips for Making Flavorful Chole
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- Soaking the chole overnight helps them cook faster and more evenly.
- Allow the cooked chole to simmer in the gravy for a longer duration so that it absorbs the flavors of the spices.
- Freshly roasted and ground chole masala provides a more authentic taste.
- If you prefer a darker-colored cholla, adding a tea bag while pressure cooking is a popular technique.
- Slightly mashing a few cooked chickpeas into the gravy helps create a thicker and richer consistency.
Nutritional Benefits of Chole
Chole, or chickpeas, are a good source of plant-based protein and dietary fiber. They are naturally filling and can help keep you satisfied for longer periods. When paired with whole wheat roti, vegetables, or raita, they can become part of a balanced and wholesome meal.
This is one reason why chickpeas are commonly included in Indian households as a regular source of nutrition.
Make It Your Own
The beauty of homemade chole lies in its flexibility. Some families prefer a thicker gravy, while others enjoy a more curry-like consistency. You can also adjust the spice levels according to your preference. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a few slices of onion served on the side can further enhance the overall experience.
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