Chola (Chana Masala)
January 28th, 2007 filed under Dal (Lentils), Vegan
Chole also known as Chana Masala is a chickpea dish cooked in a spicy tomato gravy.
Serves 2 to 4.
Ingredients:
- 1 15 oz can of chickpeas (kable chana, Garbanzo beans)
- 3 tablespoons oil
- Pinch of asafetida (Hing)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 tablespoon gram flour (Besan)
- 1 large tomato
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste
- 1 teaspoon chopped green chilies
- 2 teaspoons coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon red chily powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon chopped cilantro (Green coriander)
- Thinly sliced tomatoes for garnish
Method:
- Drain the water out of the can of chickpeas and wash the chickpeas well.
- Blend the tomatoes, green chilies and ginger to make a puree.
- Heat the oil in a saucepan. Test the heat by adding one cumin seed to the oil; if seed crack right away oil is ready.
- Add the asafetida and cumin seeds.
- After the cumin seeds crack, add the gram flour and stir-fry for a minute.
- Add the tomato puree, coriander powder, turmeric, red chily powder and cook for about 4 minutes on medium heat.
- The mixture will start leaving the oil and will reduce to about half in quantity.
- Add the chickpeas and a half cup of water and let it cook for 7 to 8 minutes on medium heat, covered.
- Press the chickpeas with a spatula so they soften. Note: add more water as needed to keep the gravy consistency to your liking, and let it cook for few more minutes on low heat.
- Add the garam masala and cilantro. Let it cook for another minute.
- Garnish with thin tomato slices.
We are Indians based in Saudi Arabia and me and my wife enjoy looking at all your receipies. Although we do not make most of them specially the sweet/Oily ones, we still enjoy them very much.
Tahnk you very much for all your lovely videos.!
Regards,
Saif
Manjula–
Thank you so much for the fantastic recipes! I have tried a few different lentil dishes from the site, and they have all turned really well. Your videos really make the cooking simple, too. I can’t wait to try this dish tonight!
Amanda
Very simple and tasty. We loved it.
Manjula – My girlfriend threw away my besan flour! I’m using all-purpose wheat flour tonight, are there other substitutions you would recommend?
WWMD?
Andrea, Plain flour will work fine too.
Hello Madam.. Awesome recipe. Thank u. I have one doubt. What is the purpose of adding besan initially while frying?
Shrimathi
Besan gives a nice texture and flavor.
I made this yesterday. My husband said that it was the best chole I’ve ever made. Thank you
I have a year 14 month old son, who is getting bored with usual khichdi and cereal I have been giving him….
Can you please include a baby-food section that can help out mothers like me….
Hi Manjula,
Nice site. Whenevr i make tomato grav it taste sour.Please tell me tips.
/Deepti
Deepti,
Use little sugar and cut down the amount of tomato you are using.
[...] Kitchen Manjula taught me everything I know about cooking Indian food. Her Chana Masala recipe is a regular meal in my household, as it’s delicious, healthy, and extremely cheap. Many [...]
Hello Aunty Manjula!
I’ve looked high and low for a chana masala recipe but I only found really mediocre recipes. Thats unitl I tried Your Chana Masala recipe. This chana masala is the most delicious chana masala I’ve ever tasted! I really appreciate all the hard work you put in into making this website and sharing your recipes. Every recipe I’ve tried is a winner.
Thank You!
I agree with you. I have made chana masala with recipes from other sources. I made this yesterday and this is the best!!