Pindi Chole

I have this book called, Taste of Punjab by Nita Mehta. I use this recipe for making this chole, and every time I have made it, I have received rave reviews! My friend Priya, who grew up in Delhi, has told me that it has the same exact taste of the chole available on the street side shops of Delhi!


Here goes,





Items you need ( 6 to 8 servings)
To Pressure Cook
Channa Dal (Chick peas or Garbanzo Peas) Soaked 6 to 8 hrs - 2 Cups
Split Channa Dal - 4 tablespoons
Big Cardamom - 4
Cinnamon - 2 inch Stick
Tea water - made with 2 cups of water with 2 teaspoons of tea
Masala
Oil - 4 Tablespoons
Onions- 2 (chopped Finely)
Pomegranate Seed Powder - 3 teaspoons
Big Tomato - 2 (Chopped finely)
Ginger - 2 inch piece (Chopped finely)
Garam Masala - 1 Teaspoon
Dhania (Coriander Seed, or Cilantro Seed) Powder - 2 Teaspoons
Channa Masala - 1 Teaspoon
Salt and Red Chili powder to taste
Fresh coriander or Cilantro for Garnish
Steps
-->Soak Channa and Channa Dal overnight or 6 to 8 hours.
--> Wash Channas with fresh water and add the tea water, Big Cardoamoms, Cinnamon Sticks and enough water to make sure channas are covered fully.
--->Pressure Cook to give one whistle and after the first whistle and keep on low flame for about 20 to 25 minutes. (The first two pictures are the before and after pressure cooking.)
---> Heat the oil in a big kadai, add the onions and saute till transparent
--->Add the Anardana powder, cook till onions turn dark brown.
--->Add the chopped tomatoes, Ginger and Green Chili. Stir fry for 3-4 minutes.
--->Add Dhania powder, Chili Powder and Garam Masala. Mash and Stir Fry tomatoes occaionally till they turn brownish in color and oil seperates.
--->Now add the pressure cooked channa along with the all the water in the pressure cooker. Mix well, add salt and Channa Masala powder.
--->Cook for 15-20 minutes on medium heat till the liquid dries up a little.
--->Serve garnished with onion rings, green chillies and Tomato wedges

** I added Javantri to the onions and the flavor was extraordinary!

I made Bhature with this recipe. It came out pretty good.....