Kadai Chole/ Dry Chickpea Curry!



My family loves Punjabi food and i cook chickpeas at least once a week on our predesignated vegetarian days. My daughter who is usually averse to vegetables, gorges on chole(chickpea curry) and puris(deep fried Indian bread). I am always searching for different ways to make it. Usually I cook it in an onion-tomato gravy or in a spinach gravy base but this time discovered another gem.

This recipe is from a celebrated Punjabi chef Harpal Singh. Original recipe is here. This recipe gets ready in a jiffy. I have reduced the amount of ghee as per my family's needs but don't' skip it as the ghee elevates the dish to a new level. I am usually very paranoid about the amount of fats that go into my food but for this recipe i gave in and used ghee though much less than the recipe asked for. This recipe also omits onions and garlic but taste awesome.

 Ingredients:
2 cups Chickpeas- soaked overnight or at least for 3-4 hrs in hot water till they have doubled in size
6-7 pieces -Dried Amla/Indian Gooseberries
1 tomato - chopped into large pieces
1/2 inch Ginger, julienne
1 Green chili, de-seeded and julienne

 masala pdrs-
2 tsp. chole masala pdr
1/2 tsp. red chili pdr
1 tsp. coriander pdr
1 tsp. cumin pdr
1 tsp. amchur or mango pdr
1/4 tsp. garam masala

 salt to taste
2 tbsp ghee
1/2 tsp. ajwain
Chopped cilantro for garnish

 Directions
  1. The soaked chickpeas should be boiled with 6-7 slices of dried amla. Amla gives a nice dark color and tangy taste. If you don't have Amla, you can drop a couple of tea bags to get the dark color.
  2. In a big bowl, take only the boiled chickpeas. The water can be reserved and reused as stock. It is not required in this recipe as its a dry dish.
  3. Add all the masala pdrs and salt to it and mix well.
  4. Put the seasoned chickpeas in a large wok or pan. Add chopped tomatoes, chilies and ginger.
  5. In another small pan, melt ghee. Heat it to a smoking point. Add the ajwain seeds and immediately toss it into the seasoned chickpeas.
  6. Cook this chickpeas for about 5 mins just for the spices to blend well. No need to mash the tomatoes.
  7. Garnish with chopped cilantro.
  8. Serve hot with puris or a bread of your choice.


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