In my kitchen

KAUSHY Patel of Prashad shares her recipe for Chole, the Indian chick pea dish that’s a Mela crowd-pleaser.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Jun 2011, 01:00 BST

Chole is a dish that is famous the world over; throughout South Asia it’s served at all times of the day. In Punjab it is ideally served as a snack and referred to as Chaat. In Lahore it is served for breakfast and in Gujarat it provides an excellent accompaniment to Bathuras, essentially a main meal.

The recipe is straightforward, but the chef’s challenge and focus is really on the balance of spices. It requires a delicate hand; the correct spice content can bring out some amazing flavours. This was Gordon Ramsay’s favourite on Ramsay’s Best Restaurants, the dish that had him coming back for more!

Serves 4

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Ingredients: 500g chick peas; 6 tablespoons sunflower oil; ¾ tablespoon cumin; 2 medium sized cooking onions (pureed); 360g vine tomatoes; 1½ tablespoon peeled pureed fresh ginger; ¾ tablespoon red chilli powder; 2 tablespoons dry coriander powder; ½ tablespoon turmeric; 1 teaspoon garam massala; ½ tablespoon salt; 1 teaspoon sugar; 300ml water; 2 handfuls of fresh coriander. 

Method

Wash and steam cook the chick peas in a pressure cooker; puree the onions. Heat the oil and add the cumin – as it starts to colour, add the onions on a medium heat until brown; add the tomatoes and the pureed ginger and the above-mentioned spices.

Leave the sauce to cook on low heat, making sure the spices are coming together and creating the perfect strength.

Once the sauce is prepared to perfection, this might require a taste and additional spices. Add the chick peas and 300ml water and mix using a folding technique. Finally add the fresh coriander and garam massala.

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Leave the curry to stand in pot with a lid on, essentially allowing the flavours to become concentrated and creating an aroma that will make your mouth water!

CHRISTINE AUSTIN RECOMMENDS

THE delicate blend of spices demands a wine that will complement the food rather challenge it. Head for the gentle strawberry and grenadine fruit of La Chasse Syrah Rose 2010 from Waitrose (£6.99) or the aromatic, light spice of Cono Sur Gewurztraminer 2010 Majestic (£5.99).