Chola (Chana Masala)

Chole also known as Chana Masala is a chickpea dish cooked in a spicy tomato gravy. It is a very tasty dish and best suited for parotas, chapathi etc. Serves 2 to 4. Ingredients : 1) 1 15 oz can of chickpeas (kable chana, Garbanzo beans) 2) 3 tablespoons oil 3) Pinch of asafetida (Hing) 4) 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 5) 1 tablespoon gram flour (Besan) 6) 1 large tomato 7) 1 teaspoon ginger paste 8) 1 teaspoon chopped greenchilies 9) 2 teaspoons coriander powder 10) 1/2 teaspoon turmeric 11) 1/2 teaspoon red chily powder 12) 1 teaspoon salt 13) 1/4 teaspoon garam masala 14) 1 teaspoon chopped cilantro (Green coriander) 15) Thinly sliced tomatoes for garnishMethod: 1. Drain the water out of the can of chickpeas and washthe chickpeas well. 2. Blend the tomatoes, greenchilies and ginger to makea puree. 3. Heat the oil in a saucepan. Test the heat by adding one cumin seed to the oil;if seed crack right away oilis ready. 4. Add the asafetida and cumin seeds. 5. After the cumin seeds crack, add the gram flour and stir-fry for a minute. 6. Add the tomato puree, coriander powder, turmeric, red chily powderand cook for about 4 minutes on medium heat. 7. The mixture will start leaving the oil and will reduce to about half in quantity. 8. Add the chickpeas and a half cup of water and let itcook for 7 to 8 minutes on medium heat, covered.9. Press the chickpeas with a spatula so they soften. Note: add more water as needed to keep the gravy consistency to your liking,and let it cook for few more minutes on low heat. 10. Add the garam masala and cilantro. Let it cook for another minute. 11. Garnish with thin tomatoslices.