Classic Chole Masala - A perfect Vegetarian Comfort Food

Soak 1 cup dry chickpeas (chole) in water for 7-8 hours or overnight.Drain the water and wash the chole (chickpeas) a couple of times.

Add whole spices, 7-8 black peppercorns, 1-inch cinnamon stick, 4 cloves and 1 bay leaf.

Add 1 cup of water to a pan, add 2 teaspoons of loose tea leaves and let the tea come to a boil.

Strain the tea directly into the soaked chole (chickpeas).

Pressure cook chole for 10-15 whistles.

Heat oil in a pan. Add 4 green cardemon pods and cumin seeds. Let cumin seeds sizzle a bit.

Add finely chopped onions and saute for 5 minute

Add finely chopped green chillies and a teaspoon of ginger-garlic paste.

Add tomato puree. Cook this onion-tomato mixture till it leaves oil from the edges.

Add spices, coriander-cumin powder, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, chole masala powder, amchur powder (dry mango powder) and salt to taste.

Mix well. Add 1/4th cup water to prevent spices from burning.

Add cooked chole (chickpeas).

Add water in which chickpeas were cooked, this gives that nice brown colour to the curry.

Let the curry come to a boil. Cover and let the curry simmer for 10 minutes on low to medium flame.

Add a teaspoon of garam masala and a teaspoon of kasuri methi (dry fenugreek powder).

Add finely chopped coriander leaves. While serving squeeze lemon juice and serve hot.

Classic Chole Masala is ready. Serve with bhature or butter naan.