1cupwhite chickpeas(chole or kabuli chana), soaked in water overnight or for 8 to 9 hours
3 to 4cupsof waterfor pressure cooking the chole
other ingredients
1tablespoonoil
1small onionor ¼ cup tightly packed thinly sliced onions
1pinchasofoetida(hing)
1.5teaspoonsGinger Garlic Pasteor ½ inch ginger and 6 to 7 garlic - crushed in mortar-pestle
1 to 2green chilies,slit
1tablespoonchopped coriander leaves
1.5teaspoonspepper powder
1teaspoonlime juiceor add as required
black saltor salt as per taste
for garnish
1tablespooncoriander leaves,chopped finely
8 to 10mint leaves,chopped
Instructions
cooking chickpeas
Rinse and then soak 1 cup of chickpeas/chana with enough water covering them overnight or for 8 to 9 hours. In the morning discard the water.
Rinse the chickpeas in water. Then add the soaked chickpeas with 4 cups of water in the pressure cooker.
Pressure cook the chickpeas for 18 to 20 whistles or till they are cooked completely.
The chickpeas should be cooked well and should be soft when you mash it between your fingers or a spoon.
If you do not have a pressure cooker, then cook the chickpeas in a pot with enough water. Cooking chickpeas in a pot will take more time. Once chole are cooked then drain the water and place boiled chole aside.
making dry chana
Heat oil in a pan, add the sliced onions.
Saute the onions until they become translucent.
Add 1.5 teaspoons of ginger-garlic paste and a pinch of asofoetida/hing.
Also add 1 to 2 slit green chilies.
Saute on low flame for a minute, till the raw smell from the ginger - garlic paste disappears. Even the onions color would change to pale brown.
Add 1 tablespoon of chopped coriander leaves.
Sprinkle 1.5 teaspoons of black pepper powder and black salt as required. Stir well.
Now add the boiled chole. Stir well.
Add 1 teaspoon of lime juice and mix well.
Cover with a lid and simmer chana curry for 2 to 3 mins on low heat. remove the lid and switch off the gas.
Garnish the dry chole with 1 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves and 8 to 10 mint leaves.
Serve dry chana with hot phulkas, paratha or as a side dish with pulao or biryani.
Notes
1. If you want chana to be more spicy, then add more green chilies.