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:

1. Drain the water out of the can of chickpeas and wash the chickpeas well.
2. Blend the tomatoes, green chilies and ginger to make a puree.
3. 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.
4. Add the asafetida and cumin seeds.
5. After the cumin seeds crack, add the gram flour and stir-fry for a minute.
6. Add the tomato puree, coriander powder, turmeric, red chily powder and cook for about 4 minutes on medium heat.
7. The mixture will start leaving the oil and will reduce to about half in quantity.
8. Add the chickpeas and a half cup of water and let it cook for 7 to 8 minutes on medium heat, covered.
9. 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.
10. Add the garam masala and cilantro. Let it cook for another minute.
11. Garnish with thin tomato slices.

81 Responses to “Chola (Chana Masala)”

1. Muthu says:

   April 19, 2009 at 1:38 pm

   Hi Aunty,
   Me and my Husband liked this reciepe very much. It turned out great. Thank you so much

   Reply
2. Nitin says:

   April 14, 2009 at 7:40 am

   Namste Manjulaji,

   Me & my wife watched your Chana Masala Recipe. She was searching for a long. Thanks once again.

   Nitin-Ahmedabad.

   Reply
3. Ameen says:

   March 28, 2009 at 1:29 am

   Hello Manjula
   you have a terrific website, it is great effort from you, My wife tries many recipies as per your instructions, all are rocking… keep going…all the best and hearty thanks for your efforts

   Reply
4. rizwana says:

   March 18, 2009 at 3:07 pm

   manjula ji,
   namaste. this is watering recipe…..it is a keeper. loved it

   thanks
   rizwana

   Reply
5. Radhika says:

   March 7, 2009 at 10:47 pm

   Aunty u r really great ..I ve become a good cook just beacuse of u …tx u soooo much ..
   U r really doing a great job …

   Reply
6. Linda Schachter says:

   February 10, 2009 at 2:50 pm

   Hello Manjula,
   How much amchoor do you add? I’ve never used it before. I love your recipes and the videos are so helpful for someone who is just learning how to cook these wonderful Indian dishes. Please note that in the video you add 3 tsp of coriander but in the written recipe it says 2 tsp.
   Thank you.

   Reply
7. t! says:

   January 4, 2009 at 4:47 pm

   Thank you once again for another amazing recipe! My husband loved this dish!

   Reply
8. Patrick says:

   December 12, 2008 at 9:51 pm

   Hello Manjula,

   Thanks for a terrific site. I had Chana Masala today from a restaurant. There was a small pitted vegetable/fruit almost like an apricot in the dish. It was about the size of a golf ball. Any idea what it was?

   Reply
9. Nisha says:

   December 9, 2008 at 4:42 pm

   hello Manjula ji..
   i always kept wondering what veg dish to make for Tuesdays for Hanuman Chalisa Paath.. thanks to your useful website, now i make a new veg dish every week on tuesdays..! Today i made Chana Masala. Thanks for your help and your quick tips for every food. Its nice to see that you stay in San Diego.. not very far from my home in Los Angeles. God bless you!

   Reply
10. Manjula Jain says:

    November 22, 2008 at 2:48 pm

    Hello Akal,
    use amchoor same time as garam masala

    Reply