pindi chole recipe | pindi chana masala | how to make chole pindi masala with detailed photo and video recipe. a classic punjabi delicacy curry recipe made with soaked chickpeas and blend of spices. the recipe is unique and flavourful as it made with freshly grounded spices and ginger julienne. it tastes amazing as a side dish to roti, naan bread or bhature, but also tastes great with jeera rice.
i guess by now, you must be wondering what is the difference between the regular chole masala and pindi chole masala. well, certainly there are some notable differences which make pindi chana unique and flavoured. the former recipe is made with a regular tomato and onion curry base with not so much spices. also, it is generally red in colour as red chilli powder takes precedence. whereas the main difference is the usage of tea leaves in the chole pindi masala which gives a dark brown colour to the curry. in addition, it also makes the curry acidic and hence turns the chickpeas tender. further, in some variations, even chana dal is added to make the curry thicker, but i have skipped in this.
furthermore, i would like to add some tips and suggestions for a perfect flavoured pindi chole recipe. firstly, i have soaked the kabuli chaana overnight which makes it tender and edible. but to hasten the process you can use canned chickpeas which do not require soaking. secondly, i have shown how to make chana masala spice mix which is added while preparing the curry. this spice mix can be made well ahead in advance and can be stored in airtight container. lastly, the recipe tastes great when served next day as the spice would be infused properly. hence plan it well ahead in advance and possibly in large quantity.
finally, i request you to visit my other indian curry or sabzi recipes collection with this post of pindi chole recipe. it includes recipes like paneer butter masala, punjabi dum aloo, mix veg sabji, vegetable kurma, bhindi masala and baingan masala recipe. further to these do visit my other related recipes collection like,
pindi chole video recipe:
recipe card for pindi chana masala:
pindi chole recipe | pindi chana masala | how to make pindi chole masala
Ingredients
for pressure cooking:
- 1 cup chana / chickpea
- 2 tea bags
- 1 inch cinnamon / dalchini
- 1 bay leaf / tej patta
- 3 pods cardamom / elachi
- 4 cloves / lavang
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 cup water
for chana masala spice powder:
- ½ tsp cumin / jeera
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- ¼ tsp shahi jeera
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp fennel / saunf
- 1 tsp kasuri methi / dry fenugreek leaves
- 3 cloves
- 2 pods cardamom / elachi
- 3 dried red chilli
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- ¼ tsp aamchur / dry mango powder
- ¼ tsp pomegranate powder
- pinch hing / asafoetida
for curry:
- 3 tsp oil
- 1 bay leaf / tej patta
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
- 1 chilli, slit
- 2 tomato, finely chopped
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp coriander, finely chopped
for tempering:
- 1 tbsp ghee / clarified butter
- 1 chilli, slit
- 1 inch ginger, julienne
- ¼ tsp kashmiri red chilli powder
Instructions
- firstly, in a large kadai heat 3 tsp oil and saute 1 bay leaf.
- further add 1 onion followed by 1 tsp ginger garlic paste and 1 chilli.
- saute well until the onions turn golden brown.
- now add prepared spice powder.
- saute on low flame until the spice powder turn aromatic.
- further add 2 tomato and saute well.
- cook until the tomatoes turn mushy and oil is separated.
- now add cooked chana and ½ tsp salt.
- furthermore, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
- also add 2 tbsp coriander and mix well.
- finally, enjoy pindi chole with roti or bhatura.
how to make pindi chole with step by step photo:
pressure cooking chana:
- firstly, soak 1 cup chana in enough water for atleast 8 hours.
- drain off the water and transfer to the cooker.
- also add 2 tea bags, 1 inch cinnamon, 1 bay leaf, 3 pods cardamom, 4 cloves, ¼ tsp baking soda and ½ tsp salt.
- pressure cook for 5 whistles adding 3 cup water.
- once the pressure settles down, remove tea bags and make sure the chana has cooked completely.
chana masala powder preparation:
- firstly, dry roast ½ tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander seeds, ¼ tsp shahi jeera, ¼ tsp pepper, ¼ tsp fennel, 1 tsp kasuri methi, 3 cloves, 2 pods cardamom and 3 dried red chilli.
- dry roast on low flame until the spices turn aromatic.
- cool the spices completely and blend to a fine powder.
- further add ¼ tsp turmeric, ¼ tsp aamchur, ¼ tsp pomegranate powder and pinch hing.
- mix well making sure the spices are combined well.
- finally, chana masala powder is ready.
pindi chole preparation:
- firstly, in a large kadai heat 3 tsp oil and saute 1 bay leaf.
- further, add 1 onion followed by 1 tsp ginger garlic paste and 1 chilli.
- saute well until the onions turn golden brown.
- now add prepared spice powder. you can alternatively use 3 tsp of store brought chana masala.
- saute on low flame until the spice powder turns aromatic.
- further, add 2 tomatoes and saute well.
- cook until the tomatoes turn mushy and oil is separated.
- now add cooked chana and mix well.
- add ½ tsp salt and adjust consistency as required.
- furthermore, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until the flavours are absorbed well.
- now slightly mash few chana to adjust the consistency.
- in a small pan heat 1 tbsp ghee and add 1 chilli, 1 inch ginger and ¼ tsp chilli powder.
- turn off the flame and saute slightly without burning the spices.
- pour the prepared tempering over cooked chana.
- also, add 2 tbsp coriander and mix well.
- finally, enjoy pindi chole with roti or bhatura.
notes:
- firstly, adding tea bags while pressure cooking chana gives a dark colour to curry.
- also, adding a pinch of baking soda helps to cook chana really soft.
- additionally, use store brought chana masala to shorten the cooking steps.
- finally, pindi chole recipe thickens once cooled, so adjust the consistency by adding water as required.