One look at the Palak Chole on Indira’s website and I had been craving for it ever since. I was looking at it during my lunch time, and that appetizing did not help matters in any way, it made my stomach rumble even moreJ.
Luckily I had soaked some garbanzo beans to make a dry fry for the dinner. Garbanzo beans are my favorite amongst beans and love it in combination with any greens.
I did not have Palak(Spinach), so went ahead and used Methi (Fenugreek). We do not get fresh Methi leaves during summer here so I used frozen Methi leaves for this.
Our little one likes Paneer and also cooked Chickpeas, so I used that also in the curry. This goes very well with Rotis and or Yogurt Rice.
Chana masala (also known as Chole) is a North Indian/Punjabi dish which consists of chickpeas. It is fairly dry and spicy with a sour taste and pairs well with Rotis/ Phulkas, Baturas or even Rice. This tastes good when it is cooked ahead of time at least 4-5 hours or even more before serving.
You can find the regular version of Chana Masala/Chole here.
Ingredients: up1/1.1.5
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2 cups chickpeas/ garbanzo beans(dry or canned)
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¾ cup chopped onions
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1 medium tomato
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2 cups of packed cleaned methi leaves (Fenugreek) fresh/frozen (If frozen use about 2 cubes)
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3-4 cloves
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1 inch cinnamon stick
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1 cup paneer cubes
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Chilli powder as per taste
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2-3 tsp chole masala (any brand)
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2-3 garlic pods grated
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1 inch ginger grated
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Salt to taste
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Oil
Method:
- I have used Indira’s method for thickening the gravy. Take a handful of cooked beans and blend it in a mixer. Keep it aside.
- Grate the ginger and garlic and keep aside.
- If using the dry variety, make sure to soak the beans overnight or for about 8-10 hours in enough water.
- Pressure cook the garbanzo beans using sufficient water. Retain the water.
- Now take a heavy bottom pan, add the oil. Next add the ginger and garlic and sauté until the garlic turns light brown.
- Add the cloves and cinnamon and stir for a while. Now add the onions and stir until it turns transparent.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, salt and cook until the raw smell of tomato is gone. Add more oil at this time.
- Add the chopped methi leaves, beans paste and stir it well. The aroma of it is just heavenly.
- Add chilli powder, chana masala powder, and mix well. Add more oil at this time if dry.
- Add the cooked beans, paneer cubes along with the some of the water and continue to cook covered. Simmer for a while until the gravy blends with the beans.
Goes well with Rotis/Chapatis and or Rice.
hi! A very interesting combo, must try .
never tried this combo, looks yummy…
Looks delicious.. Mouth watering pics.
Love the combination with paneer. I usually add the kasoori methi. Fresh methi would have been much better taste wise.
This combo sound truly delicious. Loved the idea of addition of Paneer.
Wow..Delicious and mouthwatering curry..Never thought about this combo!!
methi and chole and paneer…how awesome..all my favs in on one dish!!
Combo sounds interesting….. will give a try once
bookmarked!!
I think you are passing on the drool torch! Now I am drooling all over this picture and recipe… looks fab.
nice combination.will have to try…soon.
Nice recipe. Good to know that your kid liked it..
Don’t know why..
Supriya, my posts are not reflecting in foodworld for the past 2 times.
Reg, Little italy, its been there for the past 4 years, I guess..
I made methi chana in winter. That was a dry dish. I shall wait and make this in winter now.
http://chefatwork.blogspot.com/2009/04/methi-chana.html
I wish I got cleaned veggies… esp palak and methi. The cleaning bit takes the fun out making it
Looks really yummy. I like the specks of green in the chole
This looks so yummy.Such a hearty dish with rice..I started craving for this now!
Thats a wonderful recipe. Looks delicious and mouth watering!! yumm!!!
Methi and chole sounds fabulous. I use watercress sometimes with my chana masala because I can’t always find methi here. Beautiful pictures, RC.
Came back from my vacation and found this mouth watering dish waiting for me. What more can a girl ask for
This is a great combination! sounds like a restaurant menu;-) I have fresh methi growing in my backyard this year & they smell good. Now i have a new recipe .. yaaa.
Such a comforting dish! Chickpeas are my favorite too and I could probably eat paneer everyday
RC,
this is truly a delicious dish. I just microwaved it and one of my co-workers who loves Indian food, wanted to taste it. She loved it too!!
10/10.
wow the curry very tempting & delicious ……
it is so delicious dish. I’ll try it soon.
anand
BPO Solution
Wow thats delicious and healthy combo!
Fantastic..this is my honey’s new favorite! So easy and delicious!
BTW If you have a good trick to clean Methi leaves, let me know..
Thanks Maria. I roughly chop the stems towards the end, pluck the leaves and then drop them in a big bowl filled with water. Of course, depending on the grit requires 2-3 washes.Not easy, I know
Thank you for this recipe. I made this today and it turned out great! Used kasoori methi since I didn’t have fresh methi and also added a bit of evaporated milk at the end (mainly coz I wanted to use it up)
Yum, I love methi… Sooooo tasty paired up with chickpeas!