Chole Bhature is a popular North Indian dish consisting of spicy chickpea curry (chole) served with puffy fried bread (bhature). It’s a flavorful and satisfying combination loved by many. Here’s a recipe to make Chole Bhature at home:
Ingredients for Chole (Chickpea Curry):
- 1 cup dried chickpeas (or 2 cups canned chickpeas)
- 2 large onions, finely chopped
- 2 large tomatoes, finely chopped
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
- 2-3 green chilies, finely chopped (adjust to spice preference)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 tablespoon coriander powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin powder
- 1 tablespoon amchur (dried mango powder) or chaat masala
- 1/4 cup oil or ghee (clarified butter)
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
Ingredients for Bhature (Fried Bread):
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (maida)
- 1/4 cup semolina (sooji/rava)
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon oil
- Salt to taste
- Water, as needed, to make the dough
- Oil for deep frying
Instructions for Chole (Chickpea Curry):
- If using dried chickpeas, soak them overnight in water. Rinse and drain before cooking. If using canned chickpeas, rinse and drain them.
- Cook the Chickpeas:
- In a pressure cooker or a large pot, add the soaked and drained chickpeas along with enough water to cover them. Cook until they are tender and easily mashable. If using a pressure cooker, cook for about 5-6 whistles. If using a pot, it may take around 30-40 minutes.
- Prepare the Curry:
- In a separate pan, heat oil or ghee over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
- Add finely chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
- Add minced garlic, grated ginger, and green chilies. Cook for a minute or until the raw smell disappears.
- Add finely chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and the oil starts to separate.
- Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala, and salt. Mix well and cook for a few more minutes to let the spices blend.
- Add the cooked chickpeas along with the water they were cooked in. Adjust the consistency by adding more water if needed. Let the curry simmer on low heat for about 10-15 minutes to develop the flavors.
- Add amchur or chaat masala for a tangy taste. Adjust salt and spice levels according to your preference.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish the chole with fresh coriander leaves before serving.
Instructions for Bhature (Fried Bread):
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, semolina, yogurt, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, oil, and salt.
- Gradually add water and knead to form a smooth and soft dough. The dough should be non-sticky. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for about 1-2 hours.
- Roll and Fry the Bhature:
- Divide the dough into small lemon-sized balls.
- Roll each ball into a circular or oval shape using a rolling pin.
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, gently slide the rolled bhature into the oil and fry until they puff up and turn golden brown on both sides.
- Remove the fried bhature using a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
Serve Chole Bhature:
Serve the hot and delicious Chole with the puffed Bhature. You can also serve it with pickles, sliced onions, and a side of yogurt or raita to complement the flavors. Enjoy this scrumptious North Indian dish with family and friends!