Chole Masala aka Kabuli Channa Curry

If you guys are craving for some dhaba style chole then you have come to the right place. Chole is a popular punjabi delicacy. Call it chole, kabuli channa or chickpeas ... whatever you may call, this is one lip smacking dish which is enjoyed by everyone. You can have this along with bhature, roti, naan, puri, rice or even bread! Usually chole is accompanied with bhature and if you would like to have an easier way out to make bhature...go south , its tortilla to the rescue. Just have to fry those medium size babies in oil and there you have it.... instant bhature...and they taste good.

Ingredients
1 cup Chole
4or5 dried Amla (dried nellika or gooseberry)
1 tsp Cumin seeds
1 large red Onion
3 ripe Tomatoes (blanched or canned ones)
1 1/2 tsp Ginger
1 1/2 tsp Garlic
1 big Green chili (or 2 small)
1 tsp Chili powder
1 tsp Corriander powder
1/3+1/4 tsp Turmeric
1 tbsp Chole masala
1 tsp Tomato ketchup (secret ingredient :))
Salt to taste
few Cilantro leaves
1 tbsp Oil

Method

• Soak chole in water overnight or to cook the same day soak them in warm water for atleast 5-6hrs
• Pressure cook chole with 1/3 tsp turmeric,dried amla,sufficient water and salt upto 3 whistle, open after 10 mintues when all the pressure is released
• Drain the chole, reserve the liquid and don't forget to remove the amla
• Chop up onion, blanch the tomatoes(heat sufficient water in a saucepan with tomato and let it come to a boil,switchoff the stove and let it cook in the water for 6-8min) or you could also use canned whole tomatoes and chop them
• Finely chop ginger, garlic and green chili or crush them all together into a paste in a pestal
• Heat oil in a deep saucepan and add cumin seeds
• When the cumin seeds change color add chopped onion to it and saute till they are brown
• Add the Ginger-garlic paste to it and saute for couple of minutes
• Add all the dry powders to it and saute for a minute and then add the chopped blanched tomatoes and salt
• Saute the tomatoes till they are soft and mushed up, add the secret ingredient ketchup and mix
• Add the chole to the mixture and mix gently so that chole are properly coated in the mixture
• Add the reserved water depending on the gravy you need, check and adjust the seasoning
• Simmer the stove and cook covered for 5-6 minutes and garnish it with cilantro leaves
• Serve it with bhature, puri or chapatti with sliced onion and lemon wedge by the side and there you have it friends.....Chole Masala!!!