Vegan Recipes

Chole Chawal Recipe

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Chole Chawal Recipe

Chole Chawal, a popular North Indian dish, consists of spicy chickpea curry (chole) served with steamed rice (chawal). Here’s a detailed recipe to prepare this delicious dish at home.

Ingredients:

For Chole (Chickpea Curry):

  • Chickpeas (Chole): 1 cup (soaked overnight or for at least 6-8 hours)
  • Onions: 2 medium, finely chopped
  • Tomatoes: 2 medium, finely chopped or pureed
  • Ginger-Garlic Paste: 1 tablespoon
  • Green Chilies: 2, slit
  • Tea Bags: 2 (optional, for color)
  • Bay Leaf: 1
  • Cinnamon Stick: 1-inch piece
  • Cloves: 3-4
  • Black Cardamom: 1
  • Cumin Seeds: 1 teaspoon
  • Chole Masala: 2 tablespoons (available in stores or homemade)
  • Turmeric Powder: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Red Chili Powder: 1 teaspoon
  • Coriander Powder: 1 teaspoon
  • Garam Masala: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Amchur (Dry Mango Powder): 1 teaspoon
  • Salt: to taste
  • Oil: 2 tablespoons
  • Fresh Coriander Leaves: for garnish

For Rice (Chawal):

  • Basmati Rice: 1 cup
  • Water: 2 cups
  • Salt: to taste
  • Ghee or Oil: 1 teaspoon (optional)

Instructions:

Preparing Chole (Chickpea Curry):

  1. Cook the Chickpeas:
    • Drain the soaked chickpeas and rinse them.
    • In a pressure cooker, add the chickpeas, 4 cups of water, tea bags (if using), and a pinch of salt. Cook for 6-7 whistles or until the chickpeas are soft. Remove the tea bags after cooking.
  2. Prepare the Masala:
    • Heat oil in a large pan or kadai.
    • Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
    • Add bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cloves, and black cardamom. Sauté for a few seconds until aromatic.
    • Add the chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
    • Add ginger-garlic paste and green chilies. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the raw smell disappears.
    • Add the chopped or pureed tomatoes and cook until the oil starts to separate from the masala.
  3. Spice it Up:
    • Add chole masala, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and coriander powder. Cook for a few minutes until the masala is well combined and fragrant.
  4. Combine Chickpeas with Masala:
    • Add the cooked chickpeas along with their cooking water. Mix well.
    • Let it simmer on low heat for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add water if needed to adjust the consistency.
    • Add garam masala and amchur powder. Stir well and cook for another 5 minutes.
    • Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

Preparing Rice (Chawal):

  1. Rinse the Rice:
    • Rinse the basmati rice under running water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for 20-30 minutes. Drain.
  2. Cook the Rice:
    • In a large pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
    • Add the soaked and drained rice, salt, and ghee or oil (if using).
    • Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for about 15-20 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and the water is absorbed.
    • Fluff the rice gently with a fork.

Serving:

Serve the hot and spicy chole with steamed basmati rice. You can also add a side of sliced onions, lemon wedges, and pickles to enhance the flavors. Enjoy your delicious homemade Chole Chawal!

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