Chole Bhature is a beloved North Indian dish that pairs spicy chickpea curry (Chole) with deep-fried bread (Bhature). Known for its hearty flavor and satisfying texture, this dish is often enjoyed as a filling breakfast or lunch. The fluffy Bhature, made from a dough enriched with yogurt and semolina, complements the aromatic and flavorful Chole, which is seasoned with a blend of spices including cumin, coriander, and garam masala. Served with pickles, onion slices, and mint chutney, Chole Bhature offers a delightful culinary experience that is sure to impress.
Originating from the Punjab region of India, Chole Bhature has a rich culinary history that reflects the vibrant flavors and diverse ingredients of Indian cuisine. The dish gained immense popularity in the late 20th century, becoming a staple in Indian households and a favorite at street food stalls. Traditionally, it has been associated with festive occasions and family gatherings, embodying the spirit of Indian hospitality. Over the years, Chole Bhature has evolved, with various regional adaptations emerging, but its essence remains rooted in the use of fresh ingredients and bold spices.
Ingredients
For Chole (Chickpea Curry):
- 1 cup dried chickpeas
- Water (for soaking and cooking)
- 1 tsp salt (for cooking)
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 tomatoes (chopped)
- 2 green chilies (chopped)
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- 1 tsp garlic paste
- 2 tsp chana masala spice mix
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp garam masala powder
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1 cup water (for the curry)
- Salt (to taste)
- Lemon juice (for garnish)
- Chopped cilantro (for garnish)
For Bhature (Fried Bread):
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup semolina
- 1/4 cup yogurt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- A pinch of baking soda
- Water (as needed for dough)
- Oil (for frying)
Optional Accompaniments:
- Pickles
- Onion slices
- Mint chutney
Method of Preparation
Step 1: Prepare the Chickpeas
1. Soak the dried chickpeas in water overnight or for at least 6 hours.
2. Drain and rinse the chickpeas. In a pressure cooker or pot, add chickpeas, 3 cups of water, and 1 tsp salt. Cook until tender (20 minutes in a pressure cooker or 1 hour in a pot).
Step 2: Make the Chole
1. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan and add cumin seeds.
2. Once they sizzle, add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
3. Add chopped tomatoes, green chilies, ginger paste, and garlic paste. Cook until the tomatoes soften.
4. Stir in chana masala, coriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala, and red chili powder. Mix well.
5. Add the cooked chickpeas and 1 cup of water. Simmer for 10-15 minutes. Adjust salt and add lemon juice. Garnish with cilantro.
Step 3: Prepare the Bhature
1. In a bowl, combine all-purpose flour, semolina, yogurt, sugar, salt, and baking soda.
2. Gradually add water to form a smooth, elastic dough. Knead for about 10 minutes.
3. Cover the dough and let it rest for 2 hours.
4. Divide the dough into small balls and roll each into a circle (5-6 inches in diameter).
5. Heat oil in a deep frying pan. Fry the rolled dough until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.
Nutrition Value:
1. for chole (chickpea curry):
- 1 cup dried chickpeas
- Calories: 210
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Protein: 11g
- Fat: 3g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: B vitamins (B1, B6)
- Minerals: Iron, magnesium, potassium
- Nutritional benefit: Rich in protein and fiber, supports digestion, helps regulate blood sugar levels.
- Water (for soaking and cooking)
- Calories: 0
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: None
- Minerals: None
- Nutritional benefit: Essential for hydration and cooking.
- 1 tsp salt (for cooking)
- Calories: 0
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 2,325mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: None
- Minerals: Sodium
- Nutritional benefit: Enhances flavor, maintains fluid balance.
- 2 tbsp oil
- Calories: 240
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 28g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin E
- Minerals: None
- Nutritional benefit: Provides healthy fats, supports nutrient absorption.
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- Calories: 8
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Protein: 0.4g
- Fat: 0.5g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin C
- Minerals: Iron, manganese
- Nutritional benefit: Aids digestion, anti-inflammatory.
- 1 onion (chopped)
- Calories: 44
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 0.1g
- Sodium: 4mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin C, B6
- Minerals: Manganese, potassium
- Nutritional benefit: Rich in antioxidants, supports heart health.
- 2 tomatoes (chopped)
- Calories: 44
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 0.2g
- Sodium: 6mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin C, K
- Minerals: Potassium
- Nutritional benefit: High in lycopene, supports heart health, reduces cancer risk.
- 2 green chilies (chopped)
- Calories: 10
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Protein: 0.4g
- Fat: 0.2g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin C
- Minerals: Potassium
- Nutritional benefit: Boosts metabolism, adds flavor with minimal calories.
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- Calories: 5
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Protein: 0.1g
- Fat: 0.1g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin B6, C
- Minerals: Magnesium, potassium
- Nutritional benefit: Supports digestion, anti-inflammatory.
- 1 tsp garlic paste
- Calories: 5
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Protein: 0.2g
- Fat: 0.02g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin C, B6
- Minerals: Manganese, selenium
- Nutritional benefit: Boosts immune function, antimicrobial properties.
- 2 tsp chana masala spice mix
- Calories: 10
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Protein: 0.3g
- Fat: 0.5g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Varies (based on blend)
- Minerals: Varies (based on blend)
- Nutritional benefit: Enhances flavor, may aid digestion.
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- Calories: 5
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Protein: 0.2g
- Fat: 0.1g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin C
- Minerals: Potassium
- Nutritional benefit: Contains antioxidants, aids digestion.
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- Calories: 8
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Protein: 0.4g
- Fat: 0.5g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: B vitamins
- Minerals: Iron, manganese
- Nutritional benefit: Aids digestion, boosts immunity.
- 1 tsp garam masala powder
- Calories: 6
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Protein: 0.3g
- Fat: 0.2g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Varies (based on blend)
- Minerals: Varies (based on blend)
- Nutritional benefit: Adds complex flavor, may have anti-inflammatory effects.
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- Calories: 6
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Protein: 0.3g
- Fat: 0.3g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin A
- Minerals: Potassium
- Nutritional benefit: Enhances metabolism, provides antioxidant benefits.
- 1 cup water (for the curry)
- Calories: 0
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: None
- Minerals: None
- Nutritional benefit: Essential for hydration and cooking.
- salt (to taste)
- Calories: 0
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: Varies
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: None
- Minerals: Sodium
- Nutritional benefit: Enhances flavor.
- lemon juice (for garnish)
- Calories: 4
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Protein: 0.1g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin C
- Minerals: Potassium
- Nutritional benefit: Supports immune health, adds flavor.
- chopped cilantro (for garnish)
- Calories: 1
- Carbohydrates: 0.1g
- Protein: 0.1g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin K
- Minerals: Potassium
- Nutritional benefit: Rich in antioxidants, may aid digestion.
2. for bhature (fried bread):
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- Calories: 910
- Carbohydrates: 190g
- Protein: 24g
- Fat: 2g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: B vitamins
- Minerals: Iron, calcium
- Nutritional benefit: Provides energy, source of carbohydrates.
- 1/4 cup semolina
- Calories: 182
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 6g
- Fat: 1g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: B vitamins
- Minerals: Iron, magnesium
- Nutritional benefit: Adds texture, source of carbohydrates.
- 1/4 cup yogurt
- Calories: 37
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 2g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Vitamins: B vitamins
- Minerals: Calcium, potassium
- Nutritional benefit: Provides probiotics, adds moisture.
- 1 tsp sugar
- Calories: 16
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: None
- Minerals: None
- Nutritional benefit: Adds sweetness, aids in fermentation.
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Calories: 0
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 1,150mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: None
- Minerals: Sodium
- Nutritional benefit: Enhances flavor.
- a pinch of baking soda
- Calories: 0
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: None
- Minerals: Sodium
- Nutritional benefit: Aids in leavening.
- water (as needed for dough)
- Calories: 0
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: None
- Minerals: None
- Nutritional benefit: Hydration for dough.
- oil (for frying)
- Calories: 120 per tbsp
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 14g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: None
- Minerals: None
- Nutritional benefit: Adds a crispy texture, provides energy.
3. optional accompaniments:
- pickles
- Calories: varies
- Carbohydrates: varies
- Protein: varies
- Fat: varies
- Sodium: high
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: C
- Minerals: Potassium
- Nutritional benefit: Adds tangy flavor, high sodium intake.
- onion slices
- Calories: 11
- Carbohydrates: 2.6g
- Protein: 0.3g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: Vitamin C
- Minerals: Potassium
- Nutritional benefit: Rich in antioxidants, heart health.
- mint chutney
- Calories: 10 per tbsp
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Protein: 0.1g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamins: A, C
- Minerals: Iron
- Nutritional benefit: Refreshing, aids digestion.
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