** Chatpate Chole

Chatpate Chole

This is the recipe for traditional Punjabi Chhole or chickpeas that can be eaten with Paratha, batura or Rice. The original reicpe is published here on my cooking blog

Ingredients
Chickpeas – 2 cans
Onion- 1 big, chopped finely
Tomato puree- 1/2 can
Milk – 3-4 tbsp
Spices -Ginger-garlic paste – 2 tsp, green chillies – 2, salt, red chilli powder, dhana-jeeru powder and lemon juice to taste, 2-3 bay leaves, turmeric-1 tsp, cumin seeds, garam masala powder-1 tsp
Oil – 3 tbsp
Chopped coriander to garnish

Method
If you are not using the ready-made chickpeas available in cans, you should soak them in water for at least 2-3 hours, then pressure cook them. Now heat a saucepan, add oil, cumin seeds, chopped green chillies, bay leaves, and ginger-garlic paste and once the seeds and chillies start spluttering, add the onions. Cook till onions turn golden brown. Add the tomato puree and some water to make the curry. Once the tomatoes are cooked and mixed well with the onions, add the turmeric and red-chilly powders, garam masala, salt and dhana-jeeru powder. Slowly add the cooked chick-peas and mix with the gravy. Mash some chickpeas to thicken the gravy and add some milk. Milk not only kills the too-tangy tomato taste, but also makes it smoother and creamier. Cook covered for 10-12 mins, or until the chickpeas are thoroughly cooked and become soft. Add lemon juice if needed, and garnish with onion rings and fresh coriander.

Serve hot with Puris or Bhaturas!!