Friday 23 March 2007

Weekend Lunch Series: Amritsari Chhole & Bhature

Chhole Bhature, the classic Lunch. One of my most loved combinations to make on weekends. Savoring the taste of the smooth, tangy sort of the bhatures with the spicy Chholes, with some onions on the side....you can't beat it. So, just what are the different types of chhole? According to Musical...my newest blog friend, and I think a kindred spirit, in many ways......there are variations...in her own words.......read on.

"Pindi Chhole/Amritsari chhole type 1: Close cousins these are.
The former takes its name from the city of Rawalpindi, and is a delicacy thats often made during weddings/parties/special occassions. The chhole used in Pindi chhole recipe are kabuli white chhole (bigger than usual white chhole-but regular white chhole will work too). Cook the chhole with lil' salt till soft-drain all water and then cook 'em in the sauce/base prepared as follows:
Saute onions, ginger and garlic (just a lil') after spluttering jeera and dhania (a pinch each) in hot oil/Ghee works better for aroma, tomatoes are optional (i add them for enhancing color), cook and then mix with nutmeg powder (half spoon), anardana, tamarind pulp (adds tang and color), a stick of cinnamon, badi elaichi (broken) and badiyun khatai/dagad-phool/star anise-add a lil' water/just enough to coat the chhole. Cook for 2-3 minutesand then add the chhole. Cover the pot and cook on low heat till done. Garnish with sauteed bay leaves. This recipe sometimes is also prepared with bits of paneer added. Goes well with breads. Anardana and imli are key, so is ghee. For color and the khushbu :)"

"Amritsari Chhole type 2: The variety without tadka. No oil! The sort that street vendors make to go with their kulchas/bhaturas or even rotis/aloo-parathas. Quick to make-just cook chhole with a pinch of haldi and mash them a bit as you cook. A potato could be a welcome addition as it thickens the gravy, as is tomato (for color). Add ground roasted jeera, imli (just a dash), hardly any turmeric still and garam masala if you want. Top it with chopped onions, mirchi and tomatoes and serve :). Street food at its best. Though some street vendors sell variations of the home style chhole, with more garlic n' onion, no tomatoes-to go with rice. "

there you have it.....straight from the Punjabi Kudi's mouth.....!!

Here is my recipe:
  • Canned chickpeas -or regular ones, soaked overnight and cooked fully.
  • 1 big- black Elaichi
  • 1 tsp- Aaamchur powder, Anardana Powder
  • 1 heaping tbsp- Chhole masala of your choice.....any good brand will do.
  • 1 tbsp - Ghee ( essential for that typical flavor)
  • red onions- chopped, Jalapenos- chopped
  • Fresh ripe, tomatoes - I used Roma tomatoes
  • Salt to taste
Cook the chanas in the pressure cooker along with the badi elaichi for flavor. I also cook the canned chickpeas once more in the pressure cooker after rinsing and draining them well. This makes them extra soft. Add enough water to cook them, when done. Retain the water...this will help your gravy.
In a pan, heat some ghee, add the chopped onions and jalapeños, let them brown...now add the tomatoes. Simmer for a bit till the oil leaves the sides of the pan. Add the chickpeas, along with their water,discarding the elaichi. Bring to a boil. Add the masalas, the anardana,aamchur will really bring out the flavors so don't skip them! Add lemon juice, or a little bit of tamarind for a substitute. Have a taste and simmer some more. Serve hot with Bhatures and Sliced onions on the side.

Bhatures:

I take the easy way out with these bhatures...I use ready made, dry Pizza Crust Mix, add a tiny bit of sour yogurt for a little tang, and knead the dough according to directions. Keep the dough for half an hour to an hour. Roll into small puris and deep fry as usual. These Bhatures are really soft, and best when served hot with the Chhole. Alternatively, you can cook them like Parathas and saute them in oil for a healthier version.

Enjoy....and have a wonderful weekend. See you all on Ram-Navami- Monday.

Upcoming Recipe Preview: "Gujarati Series:Phulewar-Vatana Shaak"

45 comments:

Sumitha said...

Thank you Trupti for all these wonderful reipes!

sunita said...

Did you read my mind, Trupti? I was planning to make chole-bhature for lunch this weekend, have been literally looking forward to it , since it's a favourite of our's.I don 't think I can wait any more...I'll have to make it...and... have it, of course!!!oops! do I sound that little bit greedy...

Sia said...

now this is something i can eat without feeling guilty:) looooooooooooove this T. u r a teaser. i cant wait anymore. rushing to my kitchen:)

Sia said...

yipppyyyyyyyy... i can see my comment:) hushhhhhhh...

Latha said...

Hi Trupti,
The chole and bhature look Delicious! Reminded me of some fond memories :-)
Way back my family visited Kulu and Manali for a vacation. In Manali, on a chill evening as we were walking up the main street we saw a small shop where the guy was sitting out with his big pan filled with oil and frying out hot hot bhatures! My dad and me could not resist (even though we had just had our lunch just over 2 hours back). So we stopped and ate hot bhatues with chole on the roadside cafe - sitting on a rickety wooden bench :-) it was yummy! I am slurping now :-) Surely going to make chole bhature soon :-)
Cheers
Latha

Sharmi said...

hi Trupti, Chole bhature is one of my favorite food. The bhaturas are just out of hot oil I suppose. Cant resist!! so my weekend is going to be chole bhatures now.
hugs
sharmi

bee said...

mane bau bhave.

musical said...

Yummy! The picture looks amazing. Why isn't it lunch time yet!

I agree Sia, she's quite a teaser.

BTW, have a fun Navratra weekend.

FH said...

Danngggg!! I am making my own chole bhature on sunday too,I already have one in my blog!

Thanks for this too.I have a Pindi chana recipe,one more is always welcome.

Making Bhature with Pizza dough is very clever T!Thanks.Have a great weekend sweetie.Have fun:)

Shah cooks said...

wonderful recipe. chole bature is an all time favorite in my house.

Mishmash ! said...

Chhole Bhature, another favourite of mine..but never knew that there are so many variations..thanks for sharing this one. Take care and enjoy ur weekend :)
Shn

Deepa Hari said...

Chole Bhature with puri is a perfect combination...Thanks for sharing.

USHA said...

Chhole and Bhature is one of my favourite...yours looks delicious and wonderful...

cindy said...

trupti, every time i read your blog, i end up hungry! :D

Anonymous said...

Trupti thanks for giving this post and also thanks to Musical for explaining different type of chole . I am going to try out each of them :)
Chole bhature is one of the best weekend menu .

Saju said...

yum Trupti, you have surpassed yourself again.

Dr. Soumya Bhat said...

Hey trupthi,
you are really agreat cook.Love all your post.This one is awesome.Mouth watering...hmmm

Anonymous said...

you gave me a great lunch idea for this weekend !! And I am going to try your version :-)
Didnt know thast you can make bhatures by shallow frying them like parathas !!!

Sri said...

Chole bhature are looking perfect...trupti...feeling hurry already!

Manasi said...

Too good! I lov this!!!!
Tell me, will pizza dough the one in the rolled can ) is that ok to make bhaturas?

Anonymous said...

I love chole bhature ... without guilt I can gobble down few bhatures ....I think now I would cook them this weekend...after seeing your lovely post

-Sushma

Linda said...

Hi Trupti, as I'm reading, I am having aloo tikki chaat with some delicious homemade-not-restaurant-tasting chole on top from a little chaat cafe near work. You see, I planned it, knew you'd be posting this and knew I'd want some *now* ;)

I thought about making chole this week but wanted to wait for your recipe. I honestly thought of black cardamom in it -- am very happy to see by your post that I was not crazy! ;) Can't wait to try this. Have a great weekend -- hope you're getting some of this spring weather! :)

Lakshmik said...

Hi Trupti

Chole looks yummy. Nice recipe.

Coffee said...

!!!!!!! Modha ma pani avi gayu!!!!! :P Great recipe!!!!!

Lotus Reads said...

hi, Trupti!

I came here to thank you for the Gajar ka Doodh recipe...I made some today and the kids and I are just relishing it!

Chole Bature is my favorite dish too...I am going to try your recipe, it looks lovely!

Sorry I haven't visited in so long...I was busy with the girls as they had their March Break, also, I have decided to go back to work (or school) so I have been researching stuff to do!

Bong Mom said...

Lovely Chole and Bhature Trupti. I love both of them and it looks so good here

marriedtoadesi.com said...

Lady, you are just cooking up a storm! Chole Bhature looks FANTASTIC.
I was going through your blog, and saw the squash koftas that I've wanted to make. I forgot about it, but I had an idea now it it would be great for the sidedish I promised to bring for a dinner party next Sunday.
I'll tell you how it goes....
Kanchana

Ranjani said...

i came to your site through Bee's site & i tried the dal dhokli yesterday . Turned out very well.Thanx:)

Richa said...

aah! chole, my most fav food. can have it for breakfast, lunch, dinner & then some...

looks very appetizing!

Menu Today said...

Hi Trupti,
Making Bhattura with pizza dough creative idea.Thanks for sharing your version.

Anonymous said...

Hi Trupti! Your recipes for different chole look great! You have my mouth watering looking at the pictures and reading the words- I could seriously eat these everyday, all day if I let myself :-) much better choice than ladoos..
I wanted to thank you VERY much for adding me to your blogroll, Happy spring to you!

J said...

Chole puri is a regular weekend brunch at my place. Everyone has their own style, isn't it!

Meeta K. Wolff said...

OMG! I was just telling my friend that I was craving Chole bhature and here you have a fantastic recipe. Bhature with pizza bread now that is just up my alley. Clever you!

Chef Jeena said...

I love your blog so much variety, I like nigella lawson too :)


visit jeena's kitchen healthy recipe blog

Viji said...

Sorry for the late comment. Was little busy. This is my all time favorite. You always post easy way of cooking. Viji

TNL said...

thanks guys for all your comments, yes, this is the easiest way to make bhaturas! enjoy...

Anonymous said...

Your delicious post makes me want to prepare them over the weekend.

Anonymous said...

hi trupti , thanx for stopping by my blog , must say the chole bhature look yummy

Seema Bhat said...

wow Trupti,
Loved this recipe. If I show this picture to my hubby he will make me do it right away. Beautiful!!! Trupti ..this is what I love about your blog. The recipes are simple yet so very wonderful. Thanx for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Hi Trupti,

I'm a regular visitor to your blog. I tried to make the bhature with pillsbury pizza dough today. I was just unable to roll it coz it was going back to the orignal shape. Do you have any suggestions???

TNL said...

HI Anon: I'd sprinkle some more AP flour on the bottom to make it roll smoother, also try kneading the dough when you take it out of the package, adding a tiny bit of your own AP or Chapati atta to make it pliable...The Bhaturas won't be as big, so you might just get medium sized ones out of it. Try using the dry Pizza crust mix next time, it works much better. Good luck..

Anonymous said...

Thanx for the quick response, Trupti! Will try it that way next time. Love your blog!!!

Unknown said...

Trupti, I love your recipes and they remind me of the nostalgic times when I used to eat almost everything that you have been putting up in your blog. Superb way of keeping all people in touch with their food esp Indian which is divine. One thing though I just cannot resist asking...you keep specifying Jalapeños instead of green chillies which is the standard for Indian food. Is this because in your area you cannot get them or you are used to the taste of "jalapeños". personally I love them in Italian and Mexican food and do find a taste difference. But keep up the good work.

TNL said...

Hi Vijay, thanks so much for your kind words. you're right, I do not get Green chilies here that often, so am just used to using jalapenos.....when I do find them, I make a pickle out of them... :)

I also agree that they have a distinct taste...but am so used to them now, Its become a regular.

thanks again,
Trupti

Himanshu said...

Your post took me back to my bachelor days in Delhi and perhaps revived my lost love for cooking! I have always complained about the 'Gujaratitized' taste of Punjabi dishes in restaurants in our Ahmedabad... May be its time for me to enter the kitchen again!

Thanks, I particularly liked your writing style!

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