Recipes, Vegetarian

Amritsari Pindi Chole

This is the most common, comfort and favourite food in Amritsar and nearby regions in Punjab and Delhi. Amritsari Pindi chole is full with flavoured of spices, ginger, garlic and spicy – tangy chickpeas. Freshly grounded masala gives a rich dark brown colour. It serves with bhature, kulche, naan poories and samose.

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups of Kabuli Chole (Chickpea – Legume)
  • 1 Cup of Finely Chopped Onion
  • 1 Cup of Finely Chopped Tomatoes
  • 1 Tbsp of Finely Chopped Ginger- Garlic – Green Chilli Paste
  • For the Spice
  • 2 Tsp of Dhaniya Powder (Coriander Seeds Powder)
  • 1 Tsp of Turmeric Powder
  • 1 Tsp of Red Chilli Powder
  • 1 Tsp of Amchoor Powder (Dried Raw Mango Flakes Powder)
  • 1 Tsp Cumin Seeds
  • 1/4 Tsp of Hing (Asafoetida)
  • 1 Tsp of Tea Leaves or A Tea Bag
  • Oil for Cooking
  • Salt According to Taste
  • Water for Cooking
  • Spices for Fresh Garam Masala
  • 2 Medium Sized Bay Leaf
  • 2-3 Cloves
  • 7-8 Black Pepper Balls
  • 2 Cinnamon Sticks
  • 1 Big Black Cardamom
  • 2 Small Star Anise (optional)
  • 1/4 Tsp of Nutmeg Powder or A Very Small Piece of Nutmeg
  • (Dry Roast All and Grind into Grinder as Fine Powder)

Preparation

Prep: 20 minutes
Cooking: 15 minutes

  1. For Cooking Chickpeas – A day before wash and soak overnight the chickpeas into the water. You can soak chickpeas into tea water for the nice dark brown colour in chickpeas.
  2. Next day drain off all water and transfer the chole into the pressure cooker with 1/2 tsp of salt and a teabag. If you don’t have a teabag. Take a small piece of cloth and make a temporary bag of tea leaves with some tea leaves. Or you can soak chickpeas into tea water and boil into the same water. As I did.
  3. Pressure cook it on the medium flame at least 4-5 whistle. Now keep aside the pressure cooker and release the pressure naturally. When the pressure released take a pea in between your two fingers and mash. If it cooked properly it will mash easily. If not then again give 2-3 whistle.
  4. For Making Pindi Chole – Take a deep pan. If you have an iron wok it will be very good for you. Because iron wok gives a very nice black colour on chickpeas during cooking and adds iron in your food. If you don’t have to worry you can in any other utensil.
  5. So now take a deep pan and add 1 tbsp of any vegetable oil. Once the oil becomes hot add cumin seeds and hing. Then add fresh garam masala which you have made and stir.
  6. Add ginger, garlic and green chilli paste and stir for few minutes.
  7. Now add finely chopped onion and fry until getting golden brown colour. Then add finely chopped tomatoes and mix. Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chilli powder and salt according to taste. Mix all with onion tomato paste. Stir continuously and roast until the paste leaves oil from the sides. Now add amchur powder.
  8. Add boiled chole and mix with the paste. Add 2 cups of water, mix and bring it a boil on high flame. Now slow down your gas flame and simmer it for 15-20 minutes. At last, add 1 tbsp of desi ghee. Desi ghee gives very nice flavour into the chole. It’s ready. Enjoy with bhature and poori.
  9. Note: If you don’t have whole spices for fresh garam masala, you can use your regular garam masala. For dark brown colour on chickpeas use tea leaves the water.

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Reena Jain

Hi, I am Reena. A housewife, mother of a cute little son. I love cooking and I learned a lot from my mother. I learned from her how to cook good food and serve your loved ones with love. When my son came into my life, I left my job for taking care of him. But in lockdown, I feel I should do for myself for my passion & hobby which gives me happiness. So, I started my cooking journey. And I’m here.