Recipes, Savory, Vegan

Creamy Maharashtrian Chole

Chole is a classic Indian dish. However, not many people know that chole is made differently across different parts of India. For example there’s Gujurati style chole, which is served in a traditional ‘thali,’ South Indian Chole, which uses curry leaves, and Maharashtrian Chole, which is served in parts of Mumbai. Traditionally, Chole is made with Ghee (India clarified butter) and oil/butter, but that’s not very healthy or necessary to obtain an authentic taste. Plus the addition of reduced-fat sour cream adds a rich creamy taste without the excessive amount of fat!
We usually make 2 types of Chole at home- a creamy version and a more sauteed version. This is the Creamy Chole recipe, which I prefer, because it tastes so heavenly and you feel like you’re eating something that took hours to cook, but its so easy, you can make it every week!
  • 1 can chick peas (I use Goya)
  • 1 medium sized onion- diced
  • 1 beefsteak tomato- diced
  • 1 tbsp black mustard seeds
  • 1 tbsp garam masala
  • 3 cloves garlic– crushed and minced
  • 1/2-1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
  • 1/4 cup sour cream (I used reduced-fat Breakstones Brand or use Vegan Substitute)
  • 1 tbsp turmeric
  • 1 tbsp chili powder (or to taste)
  • couple tbsp water
  • salt- to taste
  • coarse black pepper- few grinds
  • half bunch cilantro– minced
  • 1 red onion- cut into thick rounds (for garnishing)
  • 3-4 sweet peppers- for garnishing (optional)
  • PAM- original
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Tools: Medium/Large non-stick skillet, spatula

1. In the skillet over medium-high heat spray with PAM and pour oil. Add mustard seeds, and cook until they are fragrant and “pop” about 30 seconds to a minute. Add onions, garlic and ginger and saute for about 2-3 minutes until slightly brown/golden. Add the diced tomatoes and saute for a few more minutes. Add garam masala, turmeric, chili powder. Once the onions are caramelized and the tomatoes soft, add the chickpeas and combine with the onion-tomatoe mixture until well coated.

2. After about 2-3 minutes add the sour cream and cook until everything is well combined. Add salt and pepper, taste. Cook until chickpeas are soft and flavored well. Make sure to taste a few times for salt and masala. If it’s too thick, add a few tbsp of water (consistency should be creamy, gravy-like, not too thick).

3. Once the gravy has thickened, chickpeas are cooked well and you’ve tasted for salt/masala, remove from heat and mix in 3/4 of the reserved chopped cilantro. Clean the pan and set back on medium-high heat. Spray with PAM and the thick red onion slices and small sweet peppers. Saute on medium-high heat until onions are charred and soft (without breaking circular shape). Place chole in a nice serving dish and top with remaining cilantro, onions and peppers. Serve with Basmati rice, chapati or naan.

Serves 4-6

Nutrition:

The 2 ingredients in this Chole that contribute the fat/calories to this dish are: 1 tbsp oil (14 grams of fat/140 calories)

1/4 sour cream (3.5 grams of fat per 1 tbsp/40 calories)

Want to see more recipes using Garama Masala?

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2 Comments

  1. Karyn says:

    Hi Chef Priyanka,

    I just wanted to tell you that you have an amazing website! I have recently drifted into some good Indian cooking instead of always going out to the restaurants. We have some excellent ones in this city and more cropping up all the time.
    Since, cooking is my passion, I tried the squash filled Biryani recipe and wow! Excellent.
    I did mine with leftover roast chicken. Initially I was following a different recipe but last night I was thinking of whether I might mix it with the squash as a 2nd night dinner. That is how I found you! I will pass it on to my Indian girlfriends as well as others that enjoy this type of cuisine.

    Thanks again. Next week it will be this recipe.

    Karyn

    1. Hey!

      Sorry for the late reply, but thanks soo much for your sweet compliments! I’m so glad to see people venturing into Indian cooking- finally everyone can start to taste a bit of the East! Also so glad that you tried my Biryani recipe!! It’s not very traditional, as it is vegetarian and uses squash (not so common vegetable in India), but nonetheless works for us living here! Please let me know if you’ve tried any other recipes! I’m looking forward to you stumbling upon my site again!

      Pri

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