Chole is a beloved vegetarian dish from North India, featuring hearty chickpeas simmered in a rich, spiced gravy. This dish is perfect for those who enjoy robust flavors and a bit of heat. It's not only delicious but also packed with protein, making it a satisfying meal for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.
Some ingredients in this recipe might not be staples in every kitchen. Garam masala, a blend of ground spices, and cumin powder are essential for authentic flavor. Tomato paste adds depth to the sauce, while cilantro provides a fresh garnish. Make sure to pick these up at the supermarket if you don't already have them.
Ingredients For Chole Vegetarian Indian Chickpeas Recipe
Chickpeas: These are the main ingredient, providing a hearty base for the dish.
Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the gravy.
Garlic: Provides a pungent, aromatic flavor.
Ginger: Adds a zesty, slightly spicy note.
Tomato paste: Concentrated tomatoes that enrich the sauce.
Cumin powder: A warm, earthy spice essential for Indian cuisine.
Coriander powder: Adds a citrusy, slightly sweet flavor.
Turmeric powder: Gives the dish its vibrant color and a subtle earthy taste.
Garam masala: A spice blend that adds complexity and warmth.
Water: Helps to create the sauce and cook the chickpeas.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the dish.
Cilantro: Fresh herb used for garnish, adding a burst of color and flavor.
Technique Tip for Making Chole
To enhance the flavor of your chole, consider dry roasting the cumin powder and coriander powder in a pan over medium heat for a couple of minutes before adding them to the dish. This will release their essential oils and deepen their aroma, giving your chickpeas a richer taste.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
chickpeas - Substitute with white beans: White beans have a similar texture and mild flavor, making them a good alternative to chickpeas.
onion - Substitute with leek: Leeks provide a similar savory flavor and can be used in the same quantity as onions.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, sweeter flavor that can complement the dish well.
ginger - Substitute with galangal: Galangal has a similar spicy and aromatic profile, though it is slightly more citrusy.
tomato paste - Substitute with pureed roasted red peppers: Pureed roasted red peppers provide a similar texture and a slightly sweet, smoky flavor.
cumin powder - Substitute with caraway seeds: Caraway seeds have a similar earthy flavor, though slightly more pungent.
coriander powder - Substitute with ground fennel seeds: Ground fennel seeds offer a sweet and aromatic flavor that can mimic coriander.
turmeric powder - Substitute with saffron: Saffron provides a similar color and a slightly sweet, earthy flavor.
garam masala - Substitute with curry powder: Curry powder has a similar blend of spices, though it may be slightly more pungent.
water - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth adds more depth of flavor compared to plain water.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce provides a salty flavor along with umami, enhancing the overall taste.
cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley offers a fresh, slightly peppery flavor that can be a good alternative to cilantro.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Chickpeas Dish
How to Store / Freeze This Chickpeas Recipe
- Allow the chole to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can lead to sogginess and spoilage.
- Transfer the chole into an airtight container. This helps maintain freshness and prevents the absorption of other odors from the refrigerator.
- Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the chole within 3-4 days. This keeps the flavors intact and ensures the dish remains safe to eat.
- For longer storage, place the chole in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with the date to keep track of its freshness.
- When freezing, ensure there is some space left in the container or bag to allow for expansion as the chole freezes.
- To reheat refrigerated chole, transfer to a pot and warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a splash of water to achieve the desired consistency.
- For frozen chole, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Alternatively, you can use the defrost setting on your microwave.
- Once thawed, reheat the chole in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning if necessary, as freezing can sometimes dull the flavors.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving to revive the dish and add a burst of freshness.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method: Place the leftover chole in a saucepan. Add a splash of water or vegetable broth to prevent it from drying out. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. This method helps retain the texture and flavor of the chickpeas.
Microwave Method: Transfer the chole to a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Continue heating in 30-second intervals until fully reheated. This is the quickest method but may slightly alter the texture.
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chole in an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. This method is great for reheating larger quantities and helps maintain the dish's original consistency.
Slow Cooker Method: If you have time, transfer the chole to a slow cooker. Set it on low for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. This method is ideal for a hands-off approach and ensures even heating without drying out the chickpeas.
Steaming Method: Place the chole in a heatproof bowl that fits inside a steamer basket. Steam over boiling water for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. This gentle method helps preserve the moisture and flavor of the dish.
Best Tools for Making Chole
Large pot: Used for cooking the chickpeas and simmering the ingredients together.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the ingredients as they cook, ensuring even mixing and preventing sticking.
Chef's knife: Essential for finely chopping the onion and mincing the garlic.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for chopping the onion and mincing the garlic.
Grater: Used for grating the ginger to incorporate its fresh flavor into the dish.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for accurately measuring the spices and tomato paste.
Can opener: If using canned chickpeas, this tool is needed to open the can.
Colander: Useful for draining and rinsing the canned chickpeas before adding them to the pot.
Mixing bowl: Handy for holding the chopped onions, minced garlic, and grated ginger before they are added to the pot.
Serving spoon: Used for serving the finished chole once it is ready.
Measuring cup: Needed for measuring the water to add to the pot.
How to Save Time on Making This Chickpeas Recipe
Use canned chickpeas: Save time by using canned chickpeas instead of cooking them from scratch.
Pre-chop ingredients: Chop the onion, garlic, and ginger in advance to streamline the cooking process.
Measure spices ahead: Measure out the cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala before you start cooking.
Use a food processor: Quickly mince garlic and grate ginger using a food processor.
Batch cook: Make a larger batch and freeze portions for quick meals later.
Chole Vegetarian Indian Chickpeas Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups Chickpeas cooked or canned
- 1 large Onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 inch Ginger grated
- 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
- 1 teaspoon Cumin Powder
- 1 teaspoon Coriander Powder
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garam Masala
- 1 cup Water
- to taste Salt
- 2 tablespoons Cilantro chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
- Add minced garlic and grated ginger, cook for another minute.
- Stir in tomato paste, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Add chickpeas and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Season with salt to taste. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Chickpeas Recipe
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Beef Stew Dumplings Recipe1 Hours
- Dumpling Recipe40 Minutes
- Chicken and Vegetable Potstickers Recipe40 Minutes
- Chicken and Mushroom Dumpling Recipe45 Minutes
- Roasted Vegetable Risotto Recipe1 Hours
- Spinach Artichoke Risotto Recipe40 Minutes
- Portobello Mushroom Spinach Burger Recipe35 Minutes
- Mediterranean Vegetables Recipe45 Minutes
Leave a Reply