Chola (Chole Masala)

Discover the rich and aromatic flavors of **Chola (Chole Masala)**, a beloved North Indian dish made with tender, slow-cooked chickpeas simmered in a spiced tomato-onion gravy. This recipe combines pantry staples like cumin seeds, ginger-garlic paste, and traditional Indian spices such as chole masala, garam masala, and turmeric to create a hearty, flavorful curry. A unique touch of a black tea bag in the cooking process imparts a subtle depth and an earthy color to the dish, setting it apart. Garnished with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of tangy lemon, Chola is perfect served alongside fluffy rice, soft puris, or crispy bhaturas. With its bold spices and wholesome ingredients, this vegan and protein-packed recipe is an irresistible crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Dried chickpeas
• 4 cups Water
• 1 unit Black tea bag
• 2 tablespoons Oil
• 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
• 1 large Onion
• 1 tablespoon Ginger-garlic paste
• 2 medium Tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Chole masala
• 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon Red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Coriander powder
• 1.5 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Garam masala
• 2 tablespoons Cilantro leaves
• 0.5 unit Lemon

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried chickpeas and soak them in water overnight or for at least 8 hours.

Step 2

Drain the soaked chickpeas. Add them to a pressure cooker with 4 cups of water and the black tea bag to enhance color and flavor.

Step 3

Cook for 10-12 whistles or until the chickpeas are soft and cooked thoroughly. Discard the tea bag after cooking.

Step 4

In a large pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.

Step 5

Add chopped onion and sauté until golden brown.

Step 6

Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook for 2 minutes until the raw aroma disappears.

Step 7

Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften and the oil starts to separate.

Step 8

Mix in the chole masala, turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. Cook the spices for 2-3 minutes.

Step 9

Add the boiled chickpeas along with the cooking liquid. Stir to combine.

Step 10

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Step 11

Stir in the garam masala and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 12

Garnish with chopped cilantro leaves and a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.

Step 13

Serve hot with rice, puri, or bhatura.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1761.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1240.3

Total Fat 45.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 3.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3787.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 173.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 46.3g	0%
Total Sugars 40.3g
Protein 47.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 448.7mg	0%
Iron 20.1mg	0%
Potassium 3149.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 31.6%

Protein: 14.7%

Carbs: 53.6%