Chana Masala (Chole) !

mmm…who doesn't like chole bhature…I do !! OR I don't …. well..this is confusing sometimes to put the answer in a simple way.. I meant to say … 'I don't come under that list of those who don't like chole bhature'… ☺☺ !!

Confession, couldn't make bhature but had it with paratha !!

Chana Masala

Ingredients :

Soaked chickpea / Chana - 1 cup

Finely chopped tomato - 1 cup

Asafoetida / hing - 1/2 tea spoon

Minced garlic - 1 table spoon

Minced ginger - 1 table spoon

Cinnamon stick & Anise - 1 or 2 (OPTIONAL)

Cumin seeds - 1 tea spoon

Red chilli powder - 1 table spoon

Turmeric powder - 1 tea spoon

Garam Masala powder - 1/2 tea spoon

Chopped coriander - 2 table spoons

Oil - about 2 to 3 table spoons

Salt - As per the taste 

Water - about 1/4 cup

Preparation :

- Soak the chickpea / Chana overnight (preferably) or else you can soak them for 2 to 3 hours.

Chana Masala

- Add 2 to 3 cups of water & pressure cook the chana upto 2 to 3 whistles or it depends on the pressure cooker that you are using, mine takes 3 whistles to boil the chana softer that I can mash them with fingers.

- Once done, drain the water & keep the boiled chana aside. Also you can save the water to add to the gravy while cooking.

- Heat the oil in the pan, add the hing, minced garlic, ginger and cumin seeds one by one and fry for few seconds.

Chana Masala

- Add the chopped tomato to the pan and mix well, add some salt and let the tomato be cooked softer.

Chana Masala

- Once tomato is softer, add the chili powder & turmeric powder and throw in the cinnamon stick & Anise for more flavor.

Chana Masala

- Give a nice stir & cook for 2 minutes and then add the boiled chana to the gravy. and mash the chana slightly with a laddle.

Chana Masala

- Mix well and let it cook under low heat, adjust the salt and add in some water it the gravy is getting drier

- Add the garam masala powder to the Chole / Chana Masala and stir well and let it cook slowly.

Chana Masala

- Once done turn off the heat & add the chopped coriander leaves to the Chole / Chana Masala….

Chana Masala

Chole / Chana Masala is all decked up to go with Bhature / Roti or Paratha…enjoy the good food !!!