- 1 cup Chickpeas (Chole/Garbanzo beans) washed (250 ml)
- 3 cups Water for soaking
- 2 cups Water for cooking
- 1 tbsp Ghee or Oil
- 1 Green Chili Pepper chopped (optional)
- 5 cloves Garlic minced
- 1" inch Ginger minced
- 1.5 cups Onion diced
- 3/4 cup Tomatoes chopped
- 1 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Dried Fenugreek leaves (Kasoori Methi)
- Cilantro to garnish
- 1/2 tsp Cayenne or Red chili powder
- 1 tsp Coriander powder (Dhaniya powder)
- 1 tbsp Chole Masala
- 2 tsp Salt or to taste
- 1 tsp Dry Mango powder (Amchur)
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds (Jeera)
- 2 leaves Bay leaf (Tej Patta)
- 1/2 tsp Black Peppercorns
- 1 stick Cinnamon (Dalchini)
- If you don't have dry mango powder or amchur, replace with 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
- If you don't have chole masala, you can also replace it with a blend of:
- 2 black cardamom
- 5 cloves
- 1/2 inch Cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp Coriander powder
- 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp Cayenne or Red Chili powder
- To use canned chickpeas: Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Pressure cook for 10 minutes in the instant pot or 2 whistles on the stovetop pressure cooker. Add only 1 cup water for cooking.
- To use canned tomatoes: Use one cup canned tomatoes to replace fresh tomatoes.
- Wash and soak chickpeas in 3 cups of water overnight or at least for 4+ hours.
- Start instant pot in sauté mode. Add oil, whole spices (cumin seeds, bay leaves, black peppercorn, cinnamon), ginger, garlic and green chili.
- When the ginger and garlic turn golden brown, add onions and sauté for 3 minutes
- Add tomato and all spices except dry mango powder. Drain the chickpeas soaking water. Add chickpeas and water for cooking. Stir well.
- Change the instant pot setting to bean/chili mode for 35 minutes with vent in sealing position. (This is the same as pressure cook on high pressure for 35 minutes)
- When the instant pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally. If the pin does not drop in 20 minutes, you can release the pressure and open the instant pot.
- If you like a thicker gravy, use a hand masher or the back of your ladle to mash the chole a bit. Add the dried fenugreek leaves and dry mango powder. Change the instant pot setting to sauté mode and let it boil for 2 minutes.
- Garnish with cilantro. Chole Masala is ready to be served with naan or bhatura.