Pindi Chole Masala

Pindi Chole Masala

Ingredients(for 3-4 servings)

• 1 cup chole  (Soaked overnight with water and ½ tsp baking soda)
• 1 black tea bag
• ½ tsp salt

For masala gravy

• 2 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomato, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp Ginger-garlic paste
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp red chili powder
• ¼ tsp garam masala powder
• ¾ to 1 tsp amchur powder
• 2 to 3 green chilies, slit
• 2 tbsp oil
• salt as required

Dry Spices for the pindi chole masala

• 2 black cardamoms
• 1 inch cinnamon
• 5-6 peppercorns
• 2 cloves
• 1 bay leaf
• ¼ tsp carom seeds
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• ½ tsp dry anardana
• 2 dry red chilies

for garnishing

• 2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
• ½ inch ginger julienne
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 medium tomato, sliced
• 1 lemon, sliced

Method (How to make pindi chole at home)

• In a pressure cooker add the chole along with salt,  tea bag and 3 cup water. Cook for 2 whistles and after that cook on low flame for 10-15 minutes.
• Dry roast all whole spices for the dry masala on a low heat for 2-3 minutes.
• Let theses roasted spices cool down completely and grind them.
• Heat oil in a pan or kadai, add ginger garlic paste and saute for few seconds.
• Add chopped onions and saute till the onions turn light brown.
• Add tomatoes and  saute them till they become soft and mashy.
• Add the powdered chole masala and sauté till oil starts to leave the sides of the masala.
• Add red chili powder, turmeric powder & garam masala powder (optional).
• Add slit green chillies and boiled chole stir well.
• Add salt and to 11/2 cups of the stock in which the chana was boiled. Or you can also water instead.
• Mix well and cover the lid cook on low flame till the gravy will thicken and reduce.
• Mash a few chole it is will help thicken the gravy. Cook on sim flame till you get desire consistency .
• Add amchur powder and mix well .
• Garnish pindi chole  with coriander leaves & ginger julienne.
• Serve pindi chole with kulchas, bhaturas,  along with sliced onions, tomatoes and slice lemon.