Choley Palak Masala Recipe

By Sanchita

You must have eaten chole or chickpeas in a number of ways. Ever tried chickpeas with spinach? Do not be surprised. Chickpeas cooked with spinach makes an excellent and healthy combination. In fact, it is a delicacy from the state of Punjab which is famous for the celebrated dish of chole-bhature.

Chole palak masala is a perfect vegetarian recipe to go with both rice as well as rotis. The chickpeas are first boiled and then cooked in a spinach based gravy with a mix of aromatic spices. Apart from the delicious taste it is also worth mentioning that this recipe of chole palak is also very nutritious. Chickpeas are a huge source of protein and spinach is a wonder leaf in itself being rich in iron.

Choley Palak Masala Recipe

So, try out this exotic vegetarian recipe of chole palak masala and enjoy a healthy treat at home.

Serves: 3-4
Preparation time: 5 hours
Cooking time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • Chickpeas- 250gms
  • Spinach- 1 bunch
  • Onions- 2 (chopped)
  • Tomatoes- 3 (chopped)
  • Ginger- 2tsp (grated)
  • Garlic- 4 cloves
  • Green chillies- 2 (chopped)
  • Cinnamon stick- 1
  • Cumin seeds- 1tsp
  • Coriander powder- 1tsp
  • Roasted cumin powder- 1tsp
  • Cardamom powder- 1tsp
  • Red chilli powder- ½ tsp
  • Turmeric powder- 1tsp
  • Salt- as per taste
  • Oil- 1tbsp
  • Water- 4 cups

Procedure

  1. Soak the chickpeas in two cups of water for 5 hours or overnight.
  2. After 5 hours, boil the chickpeas with two cups of water and salt in a pressure cooker for 4 whistles on medium flame.
  3. Once done, remove the chole from the cooker and keep it aside to cool.
  4. Wash the spinach properly and chop it.
  5. Grind the spinach with ginger, garlic and green chillies in a mixer into a fine paste. Keep it aside.
  6. Heat oil in a pan. Add cinnamon, cumin seeds and fry for about a minute.
  7. Now add the onions and fry till they turn golden brown.
  8. Add the tomatoes, coriander powder, roasted cumin powder, turmeric powder, red chilli powder and cook for 4-5 minutes on medium flame.
  9. Add the spinach paste and cook for another 5 minutes.
  10. Drain the water from the boiled chickpeas and add the chickpeas to the pan. Mix well.
  11. Add salt and cardamom powder. Cook for another 2 minutes.
  12. Once done, switch off the flame and serve.

Serve chole palak masala with jeera rice or rotis.

Story first published: Tuesday, May 28, 2013, 17:50 [IST]