Serves 2 · Prep 30 min · Cook 45 min · 680 calories per serving
A popular North Indian dish featuring a spicy chickpea curry served with fluffy, deep-fried bread.
Why it's healthy
While Chole Bhature is an indulgent dish, the 'chole' component offers significant nutritional benefits. Chickpeas are an excellent source of plant-based protein, crucial for muscle repair, and dietary fiber, which aids digestion and promotes satiety. They are also rich in essential minerals like iron, vital for oxygen transport in the blood; manganese, an antioxidant co-factor; and folate, important for cell growth. The spices used, such as turmeric, cumin, and coriander, contain antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress. The bhatura, being deep-fried and made from refined flour, makes this a high-calorie, high-fat dish best enjoyed in moderation.
Ingredients
For Chole (Chickpea Curry):
1/2 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1 medium tomato, pureed
1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
Whole spices (1 bay leaf, 1/2 inch cinnamon, 2 cloves)
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp chole masala
Salt to taste
For Bhature (Fried Bread):
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tbsp semolina
2 tbsp plain yogurt
1/4 tsp baking powder
A pinch of baking soda
Salt to taste
Oil for deep frying
Instructions
Prepare the Chole:
1. Pressure cook the soaked chickpeas with salt until tender.
2. Heat oil, sauté whole spices, then add onions and cook until golden.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste, then tomato puree and cook until oil separates from the masala.
4. Add powdered spices (turmeric, chili, coriander, chole masala) and cook for one minute.
5. Add the cooked chickpeas along with their water. Simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Prepare the Bhature:
1. In a bowl, mix flour, semolina, yogurt, baking powder, soda, and salt.
2. Knead into a soft dough using warm water.
3. Cover and let the dough rest in a warm place for at least 2 hours.
4. Divide the dough into balls and roll them into an oval shape.
5. Deep fry in hot oil until they puff up and turn golden brown on both sides.
To Serve:
Serve the hot chole with freshly fried bhature, accompanied by sliced onions and a lemon wedge.