Chhole a.k.a Chana Masala (Indian Spiced Chickpeas) Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Make Ahead

by: Annada Rathi

May19,2016

4.3

3 Ratings

  • Prep time 30 minutes
  • Cook time 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Serves 4 to 5
Author Notes

Chhole and chana masala are used interchangeably for the Indian dish of spiced garbanzo beans that's popular in Indian restaurants. But there is a slight difference between the two: Chana Masala is the drier version, eaten with naan, puris, and bhatura (deep-fried bread), whereaas chhole is the saucier dish generally eaten with rice. —Annada Rathi

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 1 1/4 cupsdry garbanzo beans, soaked in water overnight or for 6 hours at least OR two 15 1/2-ounce cans of organic garbanzo beans
  • 1 teaspoonsalt, divided
  • 2 black cardamom pods
  • 4 tablespoonsvegetable oil
  • 2 green cardamom pods
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 pieces of cinnamon, 1/2-inch long
  • 1 1/2 cupsfinely chopped red onion
  • 2 tablespoonsfinely grated ginger
  • 4 medium garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
  • 1 green chile pepper, diced
  • 2 cupsdiced tomatoes (1/2-inch pieces) or 1 to 1 1/2 cups diced canned tomatoes
  • 1 pinchsugar
  • 1/4 teaspoonturmeric powder
  • 2 teaspoonscoriander powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoonsdry mango powder (amchoor) or 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Directions
  1. This recipe gives instructions for using dry garbanzo beans as well as canned garbanzo beans. Only the following step differs.
  2. For dried beans: Add the soaked beans to a heavy-bottomed pan and cover with 6 cups of water. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 2 black cardamom pods, then bring the water to a boil, cover the pot, and cook for 1 hour over medium heat. After boiling, drain the garbanzo beans and save the water. Set aside.For canned beans: Drain and rinse the beans. Add them to heavy-bottomed pot along with 4 cups of water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 2 black cardamom pots. Bring the water to a boil, cover the pot, and cook for 15 minutes over medium heat. Drain the beans and save the water. Set aside. Though boiling canned beans seems like an extra step, I do it to remove the canned, metallic taste of the beans and to impart a creamy texture.
  3. Place a heavy-bottomed sauté pan on one of the stove burners and pour in the oil. Turn the heat onto medium and when the oil is hot, slide green cardamom, bay leaf, and cinnamon pieces into the pan. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes.
  4. Add onions and allow them to become translucent and brown at the edges, about 7 to 8 minutes.
  5. Follow with garlic, ginger, and green chile pepper and sauté for 2 minutes.
  6. Pour tomatoes and add pinch of sugar. Stir from time to time, letting the tomatoes lose their moisture. Once they've gotten to that point, stir continuously to prevent them from sticking to the pan. Soon the tomatoes will start secreting oil. This whole process from adding tomatoes to secreting oil should take about 10 minutes.
  7. Add turmeric, coriander powder, and remaining salt. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes.
  8. Add garbanzo beans and 2 cups water reserved from boiling the beans (if water saved from boiling is not enough, supplement with regular water).
  9. Add dry mango powder, also called amchoor. It's generally found in Asian grocery stores. If you are not able to find it, substitute with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.
  10. Let simmer for 10 minutes. Serve hot with rice or warm naan.

Tags:

  • Indian
  • Chile Pepper
  • Bean
  • Mango
  • Lemon Juice
  • Cardamom
  • Coriander
  • Make Ahead
  • Serves a Crowd
  • Diwali
  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Yiannis Psaroudis

  • Samantha Trumbo

  • Dianecpa

  • Annada Rathi

To some people's frustration, I like to talk about food before cooking, while cooking, while eating and of course after eating.

Popular on Food52

6 Reviews

Agnieszka January 23, 2018

So there is a way to get rid of that nasty tinned taste from canned garbanzos?! It's a great tip, I have to try it! Thank you!

Yiannis P. January 5, 2018

I liked this recipe, but found it to be too salty (for my taste) so, the first time I made it, I added a potato at the end & kept it simmering until the potato was soft. The second time I made it, I left the salt out. Both worked out well.

Annada R. January 5, 2018

Thank you for the comment, Yiannis. Adding a potato was a great idea.

Samantha T. August 3, 2017

Really enjoyed this recipe! We love scooping this up with some naan. The tip about boiling canned chickpeas is great! It really gets rid of that canned taste.

Annada R. August 3, 2017

Thank you, Samantha! I was really happy to hear about your great experience!

Dianecpa October 30, 2016

Yum....garbanzos are the quickest to cook dry beans after lentils, love them!

Chhole a.k.a Chana Masala (Indian Spiced Chickpeas) Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between chana masala and chana tikka masala? ›

Chana masala is typically simmered on the stove until the chickpeas are tender. In contrast, tikka masala involves marinating and grilling the meat before adding it to the sauce. In terms of flavor, chana masala has a mild, earthy flavor. It is not typically as spicy as tikka masala, which can be hot and spicy.

How much chole is enough for 4 people? ›

The amount of chana (chickpeas) you need for curry depends on the recipe and personal preferences. As a general guideline, you might use around 2 to 2.5 cups of cooked chickpeas for a curry serving 4 people. Here's a basic outline: Dry Chickpeas: If you're starting with dry chickpeas, you'll need to soak and cook them.

Why add baking soda to chana masala? ›

Why It Works. Adding baking soda to the onions helps them break down and caramelize faster. Doctoring up store-bought garam masala with additional spices produces a flavor that's both complex and suited to the dish.

Why is chana masala so good? ›

It's spicy, racy, and balanced. There's kick from cayenne, serrano, and chana masala powder. There's a bit of sour from the tomatoes, from the mango powder and pomegranate seeds in the chana masala powder.

Is masala chana healthy? ›

Well, apart from the brilliant taste here are some health benefits of eating channa. Chickpeas are rich in fibre and also have good quantities of potassium, vitamin B-6 and vitamin C. The high amounts of fibre help in keeping the cholesterol level low which leads to a good heart health.

Is chole masala and chana masala same? ›

Chana Masala is a popular Indian dish of white chickpeas in a spicy and tangy gravy. In North India, this dish is called 'chole masala,' or simply 'chole'. No matter what you call it, this is a tasty vegetarian curry dish that you should definitely try making yourself!

How many cups of chickpeas should I eat a day? ›

You can eat at least one serving (28 grams) of chickpeas per day. However, don't eat more than 70 grams a day since that can cause adverse side effects. If you consume too many chickpeas, some side effects you may get include bloating, nausea, and gas.

What is the English name for chole? ›

From Hindi छोले (chole, “chickpeas”).

How much chana is safe per day? ›

Including 100 grams of chana (chickpeas) in your daily diet can be a healthy choice. It provides a good amount of protein, dietary fibre, and essential nutrients. However, it is crucial to consider your overall diet and individual dietary needs.

Why put baking soda in chickpeas? ›

By adding baking soda, you are increasing the pH of the water and making it more alkaline. This helps break down the pectin in the chickpeas which softens their skins better and faster. This is especially important when you are making hummus and want the creamiest consistency possible.

How to reduce bitterness in chana masala? ›

Add equal parts sugar and salt, a teaspoon at a time, mixing well between each pair of additions and tasting until the curry is no longer bitter. Sugar and salt help to reduce bitterness. You can use any sweetener or salt you like.

Why do you put tea bags in chole? ›

Dipna Anand, chef at Dipna at Somerset House, says that "Chickpeas tend to dry out when you cook them and a teabag also helps to retain moisture.” Tea makes a nuanced addition to any curry, and If you only have loose-leaf tea, just steep it in water, strain out the leaves, and use the tea to cook your chickpeas or ...

What do you eat with chana masala? ›

This easy chana masala recipe is a healthy, satisfying vegan meal! Serve the flavorful chickpea curry over rice or scoop it up with warm naan.

How to thicken chana masala? ›

Simply melt butter in a pan, add an equal amount of all-purpose flour, and stir continuously to create a smooth paste. Cook the roux for a few minutes to get rid of the raw flour taste. Then, slowly incorporate it into your curry while stirring to avoid lumps. It not only thickens but also adds a subtle nutty flavour.

In which state is chana masala famous? ›

About Chana Masala

So Chana Masala is nothing but chickpeas simmered in a spicy onion tomato masala. Though the dish originated in the Punjab region of India, it is made in numerous ways across the Indian sub-continent. So Chana masala is a common term that refers to a chickpea curry.

Is tikka and masala the same thing? ›

Tikka refers to grilled or roasted pieces of meat that are either marinated in yogurt or spiced water before being cooked on skewers. Masala refers to a sauce made with cream, yogurt, or tomatoes; or a mixture of spices used to flavor food.

What is chana masala made of? ›

Chana masala is a North Indian curried dish made with white chickpeas, onions, tomatoes, spices and herbs. 'Chana' is a Hindi word for 'Chickpeas' and 'Masala' here refers to a 'spiced gravy'. So Chana Masala is nothing but chickpeas simmered in a spicy onion tomato masala.

What is the difference chana and chana dal? ›

There is a big difference between chickpeas and chana dal. Chickpeas, also known as Kabuli chana, are double the size and sometimes bigger than the size of chana dal which is a split lentil. Apart from their size they vary in taste and also in their usage.

What is the difference between chicken tikka masala and chicken tikka curry? ›

Chicken tikka is a dish made by marinating chunks of chicken in a mixture of yogurt and spices, then grilling or broiling them. Chicken tikka masala, on the other hand, is a dish made by cooking chunks of chicken tikka in a tomato-based sauce, which is often creamy and spicy.

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