Creamy Maharashtrian Chole Recipe

In the skillet over medium-high heat spray with PAM and pour oil. Add mustard seeds, and cook until they are fragrant and “pop” about 30 seconds to a minute. Add onions, garlic and ginger and saute for about 2-3 minutes until slightly brown/golden. Add the diced tomatoes and saute for a few more minutes. Add garam masala, turmeric, chili powder. Once the onions are caramelized and the tomatoes soft, add the chickpeas and combine with the onion-tomatoe mixture until well coated.

After about 2-3 minutes add the sour cream and cook until everything is well combined. Add salt and pepper, taste. Cook until chickpeas are soft and flavored well. Make sure to taste a few times for salt and masala. If it’s too thick, add a few tbsp of water (consistency should be creamy, gravy-like, not too thick).

Once the gravy has thickened, chickpeas are cooked well and you’ve tasted for salt/masala, remove from heat and mix in 3/4 of the reserved chopped cilantro. Clean the pan and set back on medium-high heat. Spray with PAM and the thick red onion slices and small sweet peppers. Saute on medium-high heat until onions are charred and soft (without breaking circular shape). Place chole in a nice serving dish and top with remaining cilantro, onions and peppers. Serve with Basmati rice, chapati or naan.