Name: Chatpata chole masala (Chick pea curry)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients: 400 gm can chickpeas (drained); 2 tbsp. Sunflower oil; 2 bay leaves; 1 medium onion (chopped finely); 2 cloves garlic (chopped finely); ¾ inch ginger (chopped finely); 1 green chilli (chopped finely); 1 tsp coriander powder; 1 tsp paprika; ½ tsp Kashmiri chilli powder or; ¼ tsp chilli powder; ½ tsp cumin powder; ¼ tsp turmeric powder; ¼ tsp garam masala; Salt (to taste); 2 red tomatoes (diced); 150 ml water; 1 tbsp. tomato puree; A few fresh coriander leaves; ½ red onion thinly sliced; Juice of ½ a lemon to taste

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Chatpata chole masala (Chick pea curry)

Chole Masala (chickpea) is a dish originating from Amritsar in Punjab, the city of the Golden Temple. Food is as much a part of the Amritsari culture as is religion. Every day the Golden Temple has over 100,000 visitors who are all fed freshly cooked meals for free irrespective of their social and religious backgrounds. Much like their inclusive culture, Chole Masala is a dish that can be relished by all irrespective of one's food choices.

Enjoy a warm bowl of Chole Masala with an Indian bread of your choice or cooked rice. I would even recommend having it on its own as a snack with an icy cold beer.

Prep Time20

Cook Time20

Cuisine: Indian

Servings: 2

Ingredients

400 gm can chickpeas drained
2 tbsp. Sunflower oil
2 bay leaves
1 medium onion chopped finely
2 cloves garlic chopped finely
¾ inch ginger chopped finely
1 green chilli chopped finely

For curry paste (ingredients)

1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp Kashmiri chilli powder or
¼ tsp chilli powder
½ tsp cumin powder
¼ tsp turmeric powder
¼ tsp garam masala
Salt to taste
2 red tomatoes diced
150 ml water
1 tbsp. tomato puree

Garnish

A few fresh coriander leaves
½ red onion thinly sliced
Juice of ½ a lemon to taste

Instructions

Method:

Heat 2 tbsp. oil in a saucepan on medium heat.
Add bay leaves. Cover with lid as it may splutter for a few seconds.
Then add finely chopped onions and fry till golden brown. (about 6-8 minutes)
Next, add finely chopped garlic, ginger and green chilli. Keep stirring until the lovely cooked aroma appears.
In a small bowl, mix (ingredients 8-14) coriander powder, paprika, Kashmiri chilli powder/chilli powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder, garam masala and salt to taste in 3 tbsp. of water and make a smooth paste. Add it into the onion mix.
Keep stirring till the liquid dries up and oil separates.
Add diced tomatoes and cook till the liquid dries up. Add tomato puree and stir fry for a minute.
Add drained chickpeas with 150ml water and salt to taste. Stir well.
Cook covered on a medium flame for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Mash a few chickpeas in the pan (this helps thicken the curry).
Transfer the chickpea to a serving dish and garnish with chopped coriander leaves, thinly sliced red onions and juice of ½ a lemon.