Chole (Vegetarian Indian Chickpeas)

This chickpea dish, also called chana masala, gets its robust flavor from simmering together aromatic spices like anise pods, cloves, and garam masala.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Calories: 143 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 whole clove, or more to taste
• 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 teaspoon chile powder
• 2 star anise pods, broken into pieces
• 0.75 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup water
• 0.25 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 0.75 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.75 teaspoon ground coriander

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Sauté onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, and star anise. Continue to sauté until just fragrant. Add chickpeas, tomato sauce, water, chile powder, garam masala, salt, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and clove. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until chickpeas start to soften, 5 to 7 minutes.

Step 2

Mash some chickpeas directly in the pot to give sauce a chunkier consistency. Cover and continue simmering, stirring occasionally, until flavors come together, about 15 minutes. Remove star anise and clove before serving.