How many times have you been turned off by the sight of an oil slick bowl of chhole! This recipe comes from my life in Dilli. Its so simple, there is a sneaking possibility it can be called Chhole for Dummies.
Its packed with protein and can give the best chhole in town a run for its money. You would often find this in a big copper handi of a chhole-kulche wala in Dilli. This is also a special for many on Lunch.Inc. Since I don’t get kulchas here, I eat this chhole on its own, while writing a post about it.
Ingredients for Oil-free Chhole are:
2 cups yellow peas/matar washed and soaked overnight
1 small red onion, very finely chopped
Handful of fresh coriander, finely chopped
Green chillies, finely chopped
Juice of a lemon/lime
Generous pinch of Sodium bicarbonate/baking soda
Bhaja masala to taste
Salt
Pressure cook the peas with just enough water (to cover them) and that pinch of baking soda. It took me three whistles to cook my peas.
Meanwhile keep your other ingredients ready.
Get ladlefuls of the cooked chhole in a bowl. Top it up with the onions, coriander, chillies, bhaja masala, salt and a squirt of lime.
Serve the chhole in a pretty bowl. Put your feet up and enjoy your Bollywood DVD.
