I first came to know of this specific chole masala, when a neighbour's mom made chole for me. She being punjabi made this spice powder first, and then proceeded to make chole. I tried few different recipes for chana masala and finally the recipe below gave me the final taste closest to what she made.
chole masala powder (adapted from Veg recipes of India)
2 inch sticks cinnamon
4 dried red chillies
8 pepper corns
4 bay leaves
4 cloves
2 tbsp coriander seeds
2 tbsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp pomegranate seeds (optional)
Method:
Dry roast the spices till brown and you get a nice roasted smell.
let them cool.
grind to fine powder.
This quantity should last you for 2-3 times you make chole.
I made chole for a dinner party recently. So I am writing measures for a larger quantity as a lot of times I have people asking me measures for larger group. So please reduce quantity for lesser amount.
Chole: (for a party of 10-12)
4 cups white chana (soaked overnight, and cooked in pressure cooker: 3-4 whistles)
5 cups finely chopped onion (3 medium sized onion)
2 bay leaves
1 green chilly
2-3 cloves garlic
1 tbsp ginger paste
4 cups tomato pureed (3 large tomatoes)
2 tbsp chole masala
1 tsp turmeric
1.5 tsp red chilly powder
1 tsp garam masala
oil for cooking
salt to taste
Method:
If you wish the chana to look dark brown, put a tea bag in cooker.
Add salt to chana while cooking.
Add salt to chana while cooking.
In a large pan, take some oil, add bay leaves, onion, green chilly, ginger garlic paste and salt.
Once the onion are browned and reduced to 1/3rd quantity.
add turmeric, chole masala and red chilly powder and roast the masala for couple minutes.
Add the tomatoes and mix everything well.
Add chole, after a few minutes add garam masala and let it simmer for 20-25 min on low flame. keep stirring every few minutes.
I divided it in too pans as it was a lot of quantity.
enjoy with rice or paratha or naan :)
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