Methi Paneer Chole

One look at the Palak Chole on Indira’s website and I had been craving for it ever since. I was looking at it during my lunch time, and that appetizing did not help matters in any way, it made my stomach rumble even moreJ.

Luckily I had soaked some garbanzo beans to make a dry fry for the dinner. Garbanzo beans are my favorite amongst beans and love it in combination with any greens.

I did not have Palak(Spinach), so went ahead and used Methi (Fenugreek). We do not get fresh Methi leaves during summer here so I used frozen Methi leaves for this.

Our little one likes Paneer and also cooked Chickpeas, so I used that also in the curry. This goes very well with Rotis and or Yogurt Rice.

Chana masala (also known as Chole) is a North Indian/Punjabi dish which consists of chickpeas. It is fairly dry and spicy with a sour taste and pairs well with Rotis/ Phulkas, Baturas or even Rice. This tastes good when it is cooked ahead of time at least 4-5 hours or even more before serving.

You can find the regular version of Chana Masala/Chole here.

Ingredients: up1/1.1.5

• 2 cups chickpeas/ garbanzo beans(dry or canned)
• ¾ cup chopped onions
• 1 medium tomato
• 2 cups of packed cleaned methi leaves (Fenugreek) fresh/frozen (If frozen use about 2 cubes)
• 3-4 cloves
• 1 inch cinnamon stick
• 1 cup paneer cubes
• Chilli powder as per taste
• 2-3 tsp chole masala (any brand)
• 2-3 garlic pods grated
• 1 inch ginger grated
• Salt to taste
• Oil

Method:

• I have used Indira’s method for thickening the gravy. Take a handful of cooked beans and blend it in a mixer. Keep it aside.
• Grate the ginger and garlic and keep aside.
• If using the dry variety, make sure to soak the beans overnight or for about 8-10 hours in enough water.
• Pressure cook the garbanzo beans using sufficient water. Retain the water.
• Now take a heavy bottom pan, add the oil. Next add the ginger and garlic and sauté until the garlic turns light brown.
• Add the cloves and cinnamon and stir for a while. Now add the onions and stir until it turns transparent.
• Add the chopped tomatoes, salt and cook until the raw smell of tomato is gone. Add more oil at this time.
• Add the chopped methi leaves, beans paste and stir it well. The aroma of it is just heavenly.
• Add chilli powder, chana masala powder, and mix well. Add more oil at this time if dry.
• Add the cooked beans, paneer cubes along with the some of the water and continue to cook covered. Simmer for a while until the gravy blends with the beans.

Goes well with Rotis/Chapatis and or Rice.