Chole-Bhature Without Garlic and Onion

Chole-Bhature Without Garlic and Onion is my Fifth post for the #MyFriendAlexaChallenge via #BlogChatter

Chole Bhature is a classic Punjabi combo that has achieved cult status and I bring you Chole-Bhature Without Garlic and Onion. Punjabi food generally is wholesome and caters to a robust clan and retains its rustic flavour. Nothing can beat the earthy flavour of a good Chole Bhature. It tastes heavenly and can put you in a foodie stupor. The unique feature is you can have Chole Bhature for breakfast lunch or dinner. Whilst Chole can be eaten with rice or naan, puri or kulche, Bhatura is complimentary only to Chole. Tear a piece of Bhatura, dip it in the spicy gravy, nibble some pickle and bite on the onion for foodie nirvana. The burst of flavours in the mouth will be hot, spicy, tangy and make your mouth salivating for more.

The chanas and dals like black gram, green gram and Bengal gram are usually simmered for hours on a slow fire, till they are creamy and then seasoned with spices and garnished with malai or fresh cream for that rich touch. Consequently, the food is simply delicious.

Chole Bhature without Garlic and Onion

Bhatura is a leavened fried Indian bread made with flour. Chickpeas or Chole are soaked overnight and boiled in a pressure cooker these days but my mom used to cook it on a charcoal fire all day. The spicy Chole, the spongy Bhature served with onions and pickle is a complete gastronomic delight. Usually, lots of garlic and onion goes into the recipe but this recipe does not use garlic or Onion at all.  Keep in mind that Chole are not fattening but the Bhatura has a lot of Calories. It is pure decadence on a plate. But there is no harm in indulging in a rare treat on a weekend. It is a guilty pleasure I indulge in when my salivary glands complain. Is it foodporn? Yes, it is Chole Bhature after all.

If you are looking for a healthier version of Chana then try this Stir-Fried Kaala Chana recipe or the Vrat ka, Puri Chana Recipe

Ingredients for Chole-Bhature Without Garlic and Onion

Ingredients for Bhatura

2 ½ cups Refined flour or maida

¼ cup Yogurt

1 litre of Bottled Soda

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt

Ingredients for Chole

1 ½ cups Chickpeas or Kabuli Chana

6 tbsp Butter

6 Cloves

2 Black cardamoms 

5 Green cardamoms

1 inch Cinnamon 

Salt to taste

2 Tea bags 

Juice of 1 lemon

½ tsp Red chilli powder

1 tsp Baking powder 

3 medium Tomatoes

2 Green chillies

4 tbsp Oil 

4 Dried red chillies 4

2 inches Grated ginger 

Chole masala

5 tsp Coriander seeds 6

2 tsp Peppercorns

½ th tsp Asafoetida

6 Cloves 

2 Green cardamoms 

1 tsp Dried mango powder 1

1 tsp Red chilli powder 

¼ th tsp Black salt (Kala Namak) ¼ teaspoon

1 inch Cinnamon 

1tsp Onion seeds or kalonji

2 tsp Dried fenugreek leaves or kasoori methi

Method for Chole

Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a pressure cooker. Add cloves, black cardamoms, green cardamoms and cinnamon and sauté till fragrant.

Add chickpeas, salt, tea bags and sufficient water. Mix well and bring to a boil. Cover and pressure cook till 6-8 whistles are given out. Remove from heat, let the pressure reduce completely, drain and reserve the cooking liquor. Discard the tea bags.

To make Chole masala, grind together all the ingredients into a fine powder. Set aside.

Put 2 tablespoons butter, lemon juice, red chilli powder and 1 teaspoon Chole masala powder in another bowl and mix well.

Put 2 tablespoons refined flour and baking powder in another bowl and mix well.

Chop tomatoes and green chillies.

Heat oil in a non-stick pan. Add green chillies and sauté well. Add dried red chillies and 4 tablespoons chana masala and mix well.

Add boiled chickpeas, reserved cooking liquid to the pan and mix. Add tomatoes, grated ginger and mix well. Cover and cook till the tomatoes are pulpy. Remove from heat.

Method for Bhatura

Take the flour in an open dish and add the sugar and salt to it. Now make a smooth dough with the Soda water. Cover with a damp muslin cloth and keep aside for 20 minutes.

Take the dough again and make medium-sized balls. Roll the discs into a round or oblong shape. Deep fry Bhaturas in oil till golden.

Transfer the Chole into a serving bowl and sprinkle the remaining Chole masala on top. Garnish the Chole with onion rings, lemon wedges and serve hot with the soft, spongy, fluffy Bhaturas and pickle.

Your delectable and finger-licking Chole-Bhature Without Garlic and Onion is ready.

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