Indian Classics # 1 - CHHOLE BHATURE

Chhole bhature .. One of my favorite fast food. A bi....g bhatura ( puri/ fried flat bread )and spicy chhole . An awesome combination on its own. I still remember my college days, how we use to hop on chhole every week. Goodies!! (Its a restaurant in Baroda) They use to have the best Chhole in the whole city.. 
Anyways coming back to the recipe, Every home has its own way of making it. And after the trial and errors in making a perfect dish i came up with this! And trust me you will enjoy every bit of it.

Cook time - 15 mins
Preparation time - 35-40 mins
Serving - 4-6 

Ingredients
Dried chickpeas/Kabuli chana - 1 cup (soak overnight in water)
Cinnamon stick - 1/2" 
Oil - 2 tbsp

Cloves/Laving/Laung - 1-2

Bay leaf - 1 
Tomatoes - 2 medium sized finely chopped
Onion - 1 finely chopped or crushed
Turmeric - 1/8 tsp
Chili powder - 1 tsp 
Coriander cumin powder - 1 tsp
Garam masala - 1 tsp
Chhole masala - 1-2 tbsp
Water - About 1/2 cup ( required according to the consistency)
Kasoori methi - 1 tsp (optional)
Salt to taste 

For tempering at the end
Ghee - 1 tbsp
cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Hing - A pinch
Ginger - 1 tsp (cut into slits)
Chili powder - 1 tsp
Green chili slits - 1 chili 

Method

1. Pressure cook chickpeas with 4 cups of water( water should be at least double the depth of peas), cinnamon stick and salt. (Tea bags are also used to get a nice flavor and Aroma; It is completely optional). It should be soft but not mushy.Drain it and keep aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add Bay leaf and cloves. 
3. Saute for few seconds and add onions. Cook until transparent.
4. Add tomatoes and cook till the oil separates.
5. Now its time to add spices. Add Chili powder,turmeric, coriander-cumin powder, Chhole masala and Mix well.
6. Now add boiled chickpeas and mix well. Add water and cook till you achieve a nice consistency and all the spices are mixed well with the your peas.( you can even mash few chickpeas to have a nice thick gravy)
7. Add salt(Adjust it according to the need as we had already put some while boiling)
8. Now add Kasoori methi(crush it between your palms). This step is optional too.
9. While our chhole is cooking prepare the tempering.
10. Heat ghee in a small pan. Add  cumin seeds and hing. Once they splutter add green chili slits & Ginger slits. Now add chili powder and turn off the heat. 
11. Pour it on the top of chhole and mix well. (This tempering enhances the flavor as well as the color) Cook for 2-3 mins.
12. Serve hot with Onions and bhaturas/Roti/Parathas.

Bhatura / Fried puffed bread

Ingredients
All purpose flour + Whole wheat flour - 2 cups
Salt - to taste
Baking powder - 1 tsp
Yogurt  - 2 tbsp
Sugar - 1 tsp
Oil - 2 tbsp + for frying

Method

1. In a bowl mix everything and Knead a smooth dough(not too soft not too hard) adding little water at a time as needed.
2. Cover with a damp muslin cloth or a plastic wrap for at least 20 mins.
3. Knead the dough again and make equal sized small balls.
4. Roll into medium thick round Bhaturas
5. Heat oil in a pan for deep frying. Once its heated keep the heat on medium high.
6. Fry the bhaturas one by one. when you put the bhatura in oil, press down a little with the back of your ladle so that it puffs up.
7. Fry both sides and keep them on a tissue so that it absorbs excess oil.
8. Serve hot with chhole.!!!

Enjoy!!!