Ingredients (Serves 2 – 3)
1. Chole / white chana – 1 cup, dried (Soak dried chana in enough water for at least 8 hrs)
Whole spices – Cinnamon stick – 1 inch, cardamom – 2, cloves – 3 – 4
Tea bag – 1 (If you are using tea powder, tie it up in a muslin cloth and discard it after pressure-cooking. )
Salt To taste
Ghee – 1/2 tsp (Optional)
Water – 2 – 2.5 cups or in the same level as that of the soaked chana
2. Ginger-garlic paste – 2 - 3 tsp
3. Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
Kashmiri chilly powder – 1/2 tsp
Pepper powder – 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder – 2 tsp
Garam masala powder – 1 tsp
Cumin powder – 1 tsp
Amchur powder – 1 tsp
Anardana powder – 1 tsp
4. Salt – To taste
5. Oil – 1 tbsp
6. Ghee – 2 - 3 tsp
Method
1. Pressure cook the ingredients numbered 1, for 1 whistle or until chana becomes soft. Drain the chana, discard the whole spices and tea bag and set aside the stock for later use. Combine all the spice powders numbered 3 in a small bowl.
2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan at medium heat. Add ginger-garlic paste and saute until raw smell leaves and it turns brown. Bring down the heat and add all the spice powders, numbered 3, in the bowl. Saute for a minute and then add the drained chana. Mix well and saute for 1 minute. Now add in the reserved stock and mix well. Taste-check for salt. Saute everything at medium-high heat. Switch off when the chana is well-coated with the masala, about 3 – 4 minutes.
3. Heat 2 - 3 tsp ghee in a small pan to smoking point. Switch off. Pour it over the prepared chana. Close with a lid for 5 minutes and then mix well. Garnish with chopped onion and cilantro. Sprinkle little lemon juice, if you want. Serve warm with chapathis or rice along with a gravy. You can even have it as a snack. This tastes best after a few hours.
