Pindi Chole | Rawalpindi Chana Recipe (2024)

Pindi Chole | Rawalpindi Chana Recipe (1)

I prepare Chole or Rajmaat-least once a week and if I run out of them, I end up with options like Lobia, black peas etc.TH prefers black chickpeas over the white one, as he likes the nutty taste of the black chickpeas; hence the black chickpeas get featured at our place more than the kabuli chana does.Though my ideal option for chickpeas would be the Punjabi Chole version,but it is quite boring to prepare the chole in the same way hence I always look out for various options.You can prepare chickpeas in various forms like Pindi Chole, Kadai Chole, Chana masala(with coconut), Kala chana masala, Punjabi Chole, Methi Chana, Chana Palak, Kadala curry etc. This post is on the preparation of Pindi Chole recipe. I will post the other varieties later.

Pindi Chole | Rawalpindi Chana Recipe (2)

Pindi Chole or Rawalpindi Chana emerged from the name of Rawalpindi, a place in Pakistan. Pindi Chole is prepared in a different way from the usual chole recipe. In Pindi chana there is no onion and tomato used and it is totally prepared with the spices and is made dry unlike the regular chole.The addition of freshly pound spices and dried anardana powder along with amchur adds a nice tang to the recipe.I have adapted the recipe from SK's site but I toned down the spices and masalas to suit our taste buds.Pindi chana is a great combination with parathas or pooris/bhaturas. Serve it along with onions,green chillies on the side and add lemon juice to the chole; this combination will elevate the taste to a different level.

Pindi Chole | Rawalpindi Chana Recipe (3)


Pindi Chole | Rawalpindi Chana Masala Recipe:

Serves 2-3

Prep time: 10 mins | Cooking time: 15 mins | Total time: 25 mins + 25 mins of chole cooking time

Cuisine: North Indian | Category: Side Dish - Main Course

Ingredients:

to cook chole:

1 cup white Chickpeas(Kabuli Chana)

1 Tea bag

1 Biryani leaf

1" Cinnamon+ 2 Cloves

Spice mix:

1 tbsp Coriander powder

3/4 tsp Red chili powder

1/2 tsp Homemade Garam masala

1 tsp Amchur(dried mango) powder

to roast and grind:

1 tbsp Cumin seeds

2 tsp Anardana(dried Pomegranate seeds)

other ingredients:

2-3 tbsp Oil

1 tbsp Ginger-Garlic paste

1-2 Green Chilies,roughly chopped

1 tbsp Coriander leaves,to garnish

to serve:

Onion,finely chopped

1 Green Chilli,finely chopped(optional)

Lemon wedges

Method:

  • Wash and soak chickpeas for 7-8 hrs or overnight. Drain the water and rinse it again and add fresh water (2-3 cups) and add biryani leaf, tea bag, cinnamon, cloves and salt and pressure cook for 1 whistle and simmer it for 20-25 mins.Once the pressure drops, fish out the spices and tea bag and drain and reserve the cooked water.
  • Dry roast cumin seeds until they are dark brown in color and remove it aside,do not burn them.In the same pan dry roast anardana and keep it aside.Once they come to room temperature grind to them a powder,slightly coarse is fine.
  • Meanwhile mix red chili powder, coriander powder and amchur powder and keep it ready.
  • Heat oil in a deep curved pan and add ginger-garlic paste and cut green chilies and fry for a minute until they loose their raw smell.
  • Reduce the flame and quickly add mixed masala of red chili powder,coriander powder and amchur powder and fry for half a minute.Be careful and make sure you do not burn the masala.
  • Add 1/4 cup of reserved cooked water to it and let it boil until the oil floats.Add the boiled and drained chickpeas and enough salt(remember we added salt while cooking chickpeas as well) to it and cook until the water evaporates.
  • Add garam masala, roasted cumin and anardana powder to it and mix well and cover it and cook for 3-4 mins.If you want you can add a tbsp of water and cook if the chole is very dry.
  • Garnish with coriander.

Serve it hot with Poori/Naan/Phulka/Bhatura with chopped onions,green chillies and lemon wedges. Mix the chopped onions and green chillies and add lemon juice to the pindi chana before eating.

Pindi Chole | Rawalpindi Chana Recipe (4)

Notes:

  1. You can prepare this with black chickpeas.I usually prefer black chickpeas over the white ones.
  2. If you like you can add a chopped tomato along with the garam masala and other spices at the end as the original recipe suggested.
  3. It tastes nice when it is made spicy but you can adjust the spices according to your wish.Instead of chopping the green chillies,you can add slit green chilies in the recipe.
  4. I used home made Garam masala and Ginger Garlic paste, if you are using store bought ones increase them to 1 tsp garam masala and 1.5 tbsp ginger garlic paste in the recipe.
  5. If you want you can add 1 tsp Chole masala along with the other spices in the recipe.

Pindi Chole | Rawalpindi Chana Recipe (5)

Pindi Chole | Rawalpindi Chana Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between chole and pindi chole? ›

Pindi chole originates from Punjab, in a town called Rawalpindi. What distinguishes it from other versions of chole or chana masala is it does not use onion, garlic, or tomato. I know, I know, why would you omit ingredients that give food its aroma? Well, pindi chole highlights flavors from other ingredients.

What is the difference between chole and channa? ›

Generally speaking, both the terms Chana and chole mean chickpeas. Chana is a Hindi word and Chole is a Punjabi word & both mean the same. But chana masala is any Indian chickpea curry and chole masala is a dish made in Punjabi style with specific spices. Can we cook Chole without soaking?

What is the benefits of Pindi Chole? ›

Pindi chole is seen to reduce the levels of bad cholesterol or Low-Density Lipoprotein in the blood and increase the body's cardiovascular health. This, therefore, leads to better heart health. The folate in the chickpeas of the Pindi chole recipe is essential for proper brain and muscle development.

What is Pindi made of? ›

The term “Pindi” refers to Rawalpindi, while “Chole” signifies the primary ingredient, chickpeas. Pindi Chole features a robust blend of roasted spices like cumin, coriander, amchoor (dried mango powder), and dried pomegranate seeds, resulting in a rich, aromatic flavor profile.

Is Kabuli chana same as chole? ›

Kabuli Chana is also known as chole or chhole. The desi varieties of chickpeas are small, angular seeds. Chickpeas is a versatile pulse and it is a good idea to stock some at all times. Use it with salads, chaats, subzis, pulaos, or in any other exciting creation.

What is a substitute for Anardana in chole? ›

You can use dry mango powder as a substitute for anardana but know that it is a substitute only.

Which form of chana is best? ›

1> Soaked Chana (Boiled Chickpeas): Nutrition: Soaked chana retains most of its nutrients, including protein, fiber, vitamins (especially folate and vitamin C), and minerals (iron, magnesium, potassium).

What is channa called in English? ›

: chickpea. also : a dish made from chickpeas.

What are chole called in English? ›

The chickpea or chick pea (Cicer arietinum) is an annual legume of the family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae. Its different types are variously known as gram or Bengal gram, chhola, chhana, chana, or channa, garbanzo or garbanzo bean, or Egyptian pea.

Does chole increase blood sugar? ›

Additionally, chickpeas in chole are a source of carbohydrates that can also raise blood sugar levels. While chickpeas are generally considered a healthier option than other carbohydrate sources, consuming large portions of chole can still lead to hyperglycemia.

What is the history of Pindi Chole? ›

Pindi Chana got its name after the town where it originated – Rawalpindi ( Pakistan) – in the days before the India-Pakistan partition. Full of proteins, Pindi chana tastes great with naan, bhatura and kulche. Try it and enjoy a much-needed break from the regular Chana Masala.

Can we eat chole daily? ›

Eating 1.25 cups of chickpeas daily can be part of a balanced diet, as they are a good source of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. However, it's important to consider variety in your diet and ensure you're getting a diverse range of nutrients from other food sources as well.

Is Pindi good for weight loss? ›

Health-O-Meter Says: Ragi, bajra and jowar flour is high in fiber and low in GI, therefore, it helps in maintaining blood glucose level and also helps in weight loss.

What is Pindi in Ayurveda? ›

Pindi is a procedure of applying a paste of herbs or medicines in a small pouch over the eyes. Pindi can help reduce the inflammation, pain, and itching in the eyes. Pindi is done by spreading the paste over a piece of cloth and placing it over the eyes for about 10 to 15 minutes.

What is pindi in Punjabi? ›

Pindi word is not a exact word for any meaningful thing in Punjabi , in fact the word pind means village and the other word which consists the word pindi is Rawalpindi one of a Pakistani city and people who live there often called “ Pindi” by their another city natives of same region.

What is the meaning of Pindi Chana? ›

New Word Suggestion. An Indian vegetarian dish of chickpeas cooked in combination of fresh herbs and spices.

What is the history of Pindi chole? ›

Pindi Chana got its name after the town where it originated – Rawalpindi ( Pakistan) – in the days before the India-Pakistan partition. Full of proteins, Pindi chana tastes great with naan, bhatura and kulche. Try it and enjoy a much-needed break from the regular Chana Masala.

What is the difference between chana powder and besan flour? ›

Both are made of finely ground chickpeas (also known as garbanzos). However, in India, gram flour is better known as besan and is made from Bengal gram, aka Kala Chana, a type of chickpea with brown skin, Chickpea flour, on the other hand, is made from Chana, chickpeas with a light, golden skin.

References

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