Page 14 - Manjulas Kitchen - Best of Vegetarian Recipes

Chole Chaat Spicy Chickpeas

Chole Chaat is a zesty snack for people who enjoy spicy food.
This is a very easy recipe to prepare, and quite an aromatic

dish.

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup chickpeas uncooked (Garbanzo beans, kabuli chana) • 1 teaspoon roasted cumin seed powder*
• 1 medium potato, boiled • 1 teaspoon mango powder (amchoor)

• 2 tablespoons oil • 1 tablespoon garam masala
• ¼ cup besan (gram flour) (available in Indian grocery stores) • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon ginger, finely grated GARNISH

• 1 seeded minced green chili (adjust to taste) • 2 tablespoons ginger relish
• 1½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste) • A few slices of lemon
• 1 teaspoon black salt (kala namak) • 8 Romaine lettuce leaves

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

METHOD

1. Peel and cut the boiled potato into ¼-inch cubes. Set 6. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat, add the gram

aside. flour (besan) and stir fry one to two minutes, until the color
2. Wash the chickpeas and soak in four cups water for at changes to golden brown.
least eight hours. Chickpeas will increase to two and a half 7. Add the grated ginger and minced green chili, stir for a few
times their original volume while soaking. seconds. Add the chickpeas to the gram flour.

3. Drain the water and wash the chickpeas. 8. Add salt, black salt, black pepper, roasted cumin seed

4. Place the chickpeas in a pressure cooker with four cups powder, and mango powder. Lightly mash chickpeas while
water. Cook on medium high heat. When it starts to steam, mixing in the spices. Cook on low heat 10 to 15 minutes.
turn down the heat to medium, and cook for another eight Turn off the heat.
minutes. 9. Add the potatoes, garam masala, and lemon juice. Mix

5. Turn off the heat and wait until steam has stopped before gently.
opening the pressure cooker. Chickpeas should be soft 10. Before serving, let the chickpeas sit at least half an hour to
and tender. absorb all the flavors. The gravy will thicken as it cools.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS TIPS

Chole chaat tastes best when served warm. For an easier and quicker recipe, substitute canned chickpeas.
Garnish the chole chaat with ginger relish and/or a slice of
lemon. *The roasted cumin seed powder is prepared by dry roasting

Serve chole chaat as a lettuce wrap using Romaine lettuce whole cumin seeds and then grinding them to a powder.
leaves. It provides a nice crunch to the chaat and makes for a
beautiful presentation.
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