Thursday 24 January 2013

Chole Bhature - Pahar Ganj Style

Chole - Pahar Ganj Style
(Chick peas)

Chole Bhature for Delhites is equivalent to Fish and Chips for Britishers. There are so many different recipes of Chole, each one with a distinctive taste. My favourite is from a small take away place in Pahar Ganj, a locality of Delhi. This shop reminds me of Harry Ramsden’s fish and chip take away in Guiseley, West Yorkshire. Like Harry Ramsden’s place this started in early 50’s as a small business and today they serve several thousand helping each lunchtime. Their premises remain very small but instead of 2 cooks making the bhaturas there are probably 8, the maximum its space would allow! The service remains fast and no one waits for longer than 20 minutes, time enough for a sale of a glass of lassi! 

The recipe for the chole is a family secret. Many people have tried in vain to produce the same quality of chole. Like others I have attempted and I think this version is as close as I will get. For friends who haven't been initiated to the real thing this recipe is well worth, for chole bhature enthusiasts.  

I must confess it is by mistake I get the credit for this dish, it should really go to a friend’s wife Ramal, who inadvertently prepared this style of Chole while I was overlooking.... Though I have put down the various ingredients separately one cold use Shan's Chole masala powder.

Ingredients for Chole:

  • 2 tins Chick Peas (800gms with water)
  • 1 pinch Hing (Asafoetida) 
  • 1 tsf Coriander powder
  • ¼ tsf Chilli powder
  • ½ Salt (may need more if not using tinned Chick Peas)
  • 1 tsf Cumin powder
  • ½ tsf Black pepper corns
  • 10 Cloves
  • 6 Black Cardamoms
  • 2 inch Cinnamon
  • 1/8 Nutmeg
  • 2 Bay leaves
  • ½ tsf Turmeric
  • 1 tsf Garlic powder
  • 1 pinch of Soda powder
  • 2 teabags
  • 4 tbsf Oil
  Method:
  1. Grind cloves, peppercorns, cinnamon, bay leaves and nutmeg. 
  2. Heat the oil in a wok.
  3. Add hing as soon as it starts to sizzle add the above ground cloves, peppercorns, cinnamon, bay leaves and nutmeg as well as turmeric, chilli powder, cumin and coriander powders. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Add all the chick peas along with its water.
  5. Add the salt, tea bags and soda powder.
  6. Bring it to a boil, ensuring that it doesn’t spill over by continuously stirring.
  7. Lower the heat and cover the wok and let it cook for 1 1/2 hours intermittently stirring so that it doesn't catch at the bottom.
  8. Serve with Bhaturas or as a side dish with main meal.

Ingredients for the Bhatura recipe:

  • 150 gms of plain yoghurt.
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder or 1/4 tsp baking soda.
  • 1½ cup (450 gm) White flour.
  • 1 tsp Salt.
  • 1 tsf Sugar.
  • 1 tbsp butter.
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) warm water.
  • 200 gms of Paneer crumbled.
  • ghee or vegetable oil for deep frying.

 Method:

  1. In a bowl mix yogurt, sugar, salt, flour, butter and baking powder into a dough and cover with a damp cloth and leave it in a warm place overnight.
  2. Next day the dough should be ready, just knead it again with hand so it becomes smooth. You may need to add a bit more flour if it is too soft.
  3. In a wok heat some oil for deep frying. 
  4. Take a small amount of the dough shape it into golf ball shape and size.
  5. Flatten it and stuff a small amount of crumbled paneer and reshape back into a ball then roll it into a 6-7 inch circle. At the Pahar Ganj shop they do this step by hand.
  6. Put the flattened pancake in the deep fryer (ensure the oil is hot). Cook till the bhatura is slightly golden and puffed up.

12 comments:

  1. hello rajiv

    there in pahar ganj choley bhature there is an addition of dry fried patatos .... plz be kind enough to send the complete method to even my email : cellclinic@gmail.com :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are absolutely right that Imperial Chole Bhature, as I refer to Diwan Chand's chole, does contain fried potatoes. The recipe I have written is as I have said in my introduction it is my version of his legendary choles. I have occasionally put the potatoes but my friends and family prefer without.

      You are lucky to have been given the real recipe, perhaps a reflection of your good looks. I have several times asked for his recipe, his answer has always been polite, "arre sahib aap ko banae ki kaya jaroot he, ham aap ke leye mana rahe, aaye aur khaye" (literal translation would be why do you have to cook when I am here to do it for you, just come and eat - in other words I don't really want to tell you.

      Delete
  2. http://eatanddust.com/2009/05/13/chana-bhatura-at-sita-ram-diwan-chand/

    link for the pic ...

    ReplyDelete
  3. You are absolutely right that Imperial Chole Bhature, as I refer to Diwan Chand's chole, does contain fried potatoes. The recipe I have written is as I have said in my introduction it is my version of his legendary choles. I have occasionally put the potatoes but my friends and family prefer without.

    You are lucky to have been given the real recipe, perhaps a reflection of your good looks. I have several times asked for his recipe, his answer has always been polite, "arre sahib aap ko banae ki kaya jaroot he, ham aap ke leye mana rahe, aaye aur khaye" (literal translation would be why do you have to cook when I am here to do it for you, just come and eat - in other words I don't really want to tell you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. hello rajiv

    there in pahar ganj choley bhature there is an addition of dry fried patatos & green chatni .... plz be kind enough to send the complete method to even my email : khushirai87@gmail.com plz

    ReplyDelete
  5. Replies
    1. Whenever I make Chole at home I have to make double the quantity as guests don't only eat on the night but take it a tubful home for the next day. I think Chole are just so wonderful. Even my British friends lick their fingers when eating Chole at my place. Unfortunately, I am not able to make Bhatura as its just too much work for everyday eating.

      Delete
  6. above is real professional recipie observed by cooks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am glad you appreciate this recipe. Continue to enjoy it...

      Delete
  7. U have mentioned black cardamom for chole.but u didn't put that in the recipe.kindly guide.should v skip that and if v need to use that then how and when

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks Rajiv for sharing the recipe. Do you also add amla sometimes to make it a bit black in Color? A lot of people are using it these days. Also where do you think one can find the Best Chole Bhature in Delhi

    ReplyDelete