Chole

The main ingredient for this recipe is Garbanzo Beans/ Chick Peas. They are a member of Pea family. Also known as ceci (Italy),Egyptian Pea, Gram, Kichererbse (Germany) and revithia (Greece). This is the most widely consumed legume in the world. This was originated in Middle East. They have a flavour in between Chestnuts and Walnuts.

Garbanzo Beans are pale in Yellow Color. In India there are Red, Brown, Black coloured Garbanzo Beans too.

1 cup of Garbanzo Beans has 361 Calories and is rich in Carbohydrates, Proteins, Phosphorus, Calcium and Iron. Since it has such nice properties, why not include this to our food diet.

This is how i make the recipe Chole using Garbanzo Beans.

Ingredients for making Chole :

• Garbanzo Beans/ Chick Peas - 1 cup ( soak in 3 cups of waters for approx 6 hrs)


• Onion - 1 medium ( peel and cut in to small pieces)
  
• Tomato - 2 medium ( cut in to small pieces)
  
• Ginger - 1 inch piece ( peel and cut in to small pieces)
  
• Coriander seeds - 1 Tablespoon
  
• 2 Dried Red Chili or 1/2 Teaspoon Chili powder( adjust according to the desired spiciness)


• Cardamom - 1
  
• Cloves - 2

Cinnamon - a small stick

• Cumin Seeds - 1 Teaspoon
  
• Anise Seeds - 1 Teaspoon
  
• Salt - to taste
  
• Cilantro a little (to Garnish)

Method for making Chole:

Step 1: Pressure cook the pre-soaked Garbanzo Beans for 20 minutes or until cooked. (such that it retains it shape).

Step 2: Cut the Onions and Tomatoes.

Step 3: In a pan add 2 Teaspoons of Oil and Add the cut Onions and Fry till they become transparent then add ginger and then cut tomatoes to it and cook till they become mushy. To that add the other spices -cumin seeds, coriander seeds, anise seeds, cardamom, Cinnamon, cloves. Fry for a minute or till a nice aroma comes. Remove from heat and let it cool.

Step 4: Grind the ingredients in the pan to a smooth paste.

Step 4: In the pan, add 1 Tablespoon of oil heat it, then to that add the grounded ingredients then add the cooked Garbanzo Beans add little water to adjust the consistency (the end result should be thick consistency)

Step 5: Add salt according to taste. Mix well. Let it boil for 10 minutes in medium heat.

Chole is Ready to Serve. This can be served as Main Dish garnished with fresh Onions and Cilantro Leaves and a piece of Fresh Lemon or as Side dish with Naan,Chapathi, or with Breads.

Yesterday i cooked Chole for dinner and i served this as a Side dish for Hamburgers Bun