Chole Bhature
Veg
Vegan
Spiced chickpea curry with deep-fried bread — kabuli chana soaked overnight and cooked with tea bags (for the dark colour), then simmered in a bold masala of dried pomegranate, amchur, black cardamom, and chole masala until the chickpeas are deeply flavoured and the gravy is thick and dark. Served with enormous puffed bhature (leavened white-flour bread fried in oil until balloon-like). Eaten at breakfast and lunch at every street corner in Delhi with raw onion and pickle. The most iconic Delhi street meal.
Cuisines
Punjabi
Delhi
Indian
Best for
Breakfast
Lunch
Recipe
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 60 min
Total: 80 min
2-3 servings
Ingredients
| 1 cup | dried chickpeas |
| 3 cups | water |
| 1 teaspoon | baking soda |
| 2 tablespoons | vegetable oil |
| 1 teaspoon | cumin seeds |
| 1 large | onion, finely chopped |
| 2 teaspoons | ginger-garlic paste |
| 2 medium | tomatoes, pureed |
| 1 teaspoon | turmeric powder |
| 1 teaspoon | red chili powder |
| 1 teaspoon | coriander powder |
| 1 teaspoon | garam masala |
| 1 teaspoon | amchur (dried mango powder) |
| 1 teaspoon | salt |
| 2 tablespoons | chopped coriander leaves |
| 2 cups | all-purpose flour |
| 1 tablespoon | semolina |
| 1 teaspoon | sugar |
Instructions
- 1 Wash and soak the chickpeas overnight in water with baking soda.
- 2 Drain and rinse the chickpeas, then pressure cook with 3 cups of water until soft.
- 3 Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
- 4 Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
- 5 Stir in ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
- 6 Add tomato puree, turmeric, red chili powder, and coriander powder. Cook until oil separates.
- 7 Add cooked chickpeas along with the cooking water, salt, and garam masala. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- 8 Stir in amchur powder and garnish with coriander leaves.
- 9 For the bhature, mix flour, semolina, sugar, salt, and oil in a bowl.
- 10 Add yogurt and knead into a soft dough. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
- 11 Divide dough into small balls, roll each into a circle.
- 12 Heat oil in a deep pan and fry each bhatura until golden and puffed.
- 13 Serve hot with prepared chole.
Tips
For a richer flavor, add a pinch of asafoetida (hing) while tempering the cumin seeds.