CHHOLE w/ TAWA KULCHE – छोले और तवा कुलचा (No-Oil Chick Pea Curry w/ Onion stuffed Flatbread)

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I wonder if I can take the liberty to say that Punjabi cuisine has certain gems that are loved by people not just across India but which has patrons across the world. To name a few dishes – Chhole (Dhabe Wale Chhole), Chicken Tikka, Dal Makhani, Lassi, Butter Chicken, Sarson Saag w/ Makki ki Roti (Mustard Greens w/ Cornmeal Flatbread) are loved by many across cultures. When one thinks of Chhole, the picture that invariably comes to mind is a slightly sour semi dry rich & spicy chick pea curry served with poori (puffed deep fried bread made with unleavened dough) or bhature (puffed deep fried bread made with leavened dough).

Spicy and rich curries however, do not go down well with my family. When I use the word spicy on my blog to define certain recipes, I mean a mild to medium spiced curry since we do not like rich spicy curries like most other Indians do. Besides, my cooking mantra is that the core ingredients in any dish should be the star and its flavours should shine through the condiments and spices. Spices for me are just like an instrument, playing in the background, to accentuate the flavours of the star ingredient and not vice versa. It is common to see people using dry spice mixes such as chana masala powder, biryani masala powder, even garam masala powder in liberal amounts and sadly they kill the essence of the dish instead of enhancing its. All that one can taste is the over powering taste of the spice mix.

The recipe that I am sharing with you here has no oil, no rich masala or curry. This is the easiest Chhole recipe you will ever find. Since there is no oil, so it goes without saying that there is no sautéing or frying of onions, garlic or ginger which makes this a curry mild, easy on the tummy yet it does not compromise on taste one bit. It won’t be incorrect if I tell you that it is more like a stew. A Punjabi may cast a doubt upon this curry coz this one is made in the most unconventional manner in comparison to the usual Chhole recipe that one is bound to find around other blogs. But let me assure you one morsel of it and your taste buds will sing with joy.

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Since this curry happens to be such a healthy recipe, obviously serving it with a deep fried poori or bhature was an inconceivable thought. So the other significant companion of the Chhole was ushered in, which is the Kulcha (singular for Kulche). Kulcha is a flatbread like the Naan but the leavening agent used is either baking soda or baking powder instead of yeast which is used for making Naan. Here it is stuffed with onions and cooked on a skillet. You can use any stuffing of your choice such as boiled mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, cauliflower, etc along with the spices and other ingredients mentioned for the kulcha recipe here (scroll down).

For the Chick Pea Curry:

1 C (heaped) Chick Peas (dried)

2½ – 3 C Water (less if using pressure cooker & more if cooking the chickpeas in pot)

1 medium Onion (finely chopped)

1½ tsp Ginger paste

1½ tsp Garlic paste

1 large ripe red Tomato (roughly chopped)

¾ tsp Chili powder (adjust)

½ tsp Tea Granules

2 heaped tsp Coriander Powder

Salt to taste

½ tsp Garam Masala Powder (adjust according to the strength of the aroma of your garam masala)

 tsp roasted & ground Cumin Powder

¾ – 1 tsp Dried Mango Powder (adjust to taste) or Anardana (dried pomegranate powder)

Chopped Coriander to garnish

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Pick and wash the chick peas and soak them overnight in sufficient water. Drain the water and transfer the chick peas in a cooking pot or pressure cooker.

Add water and along with it, add all the ingredients except garam masala, cumin powder and dry  mango powder.

If cooking in a pot, let the water come to a boil and then reduce the heat and cover the pot. Let the chick peas cook till they are done. If cooking in a pressure cooker, cook till the chick peas are done (till two-three whistles escape). Then allow the pressure to escape on its own.

Add cumin powder, dry mango powder and garam masala. Stir the chick peas with a big spoon. Using the back of the spoon, squash the tomatoes against the inside of the pot. This will result in some of the chickpeas also getting smashed but that is okay. Cook further till the contents are well assimilated and the curry is no longer watery.  (The curry should be slightly thinner than the consistency you desire coz the chick peas will soak the liquid and the curry will grow thicker as it begins to cool)

(Serves 3 – 4)

Serve with Tawa Kulcha (Onion Stuffed Flatbread cooked on Skillet)

For the Flatbread:

2 C Maida (Flour) + extra for rolling

1½ tbsp Suji (Semolina)

½ tsp Baking Powder

¼ tsp Baking Soda

1 tsp Salt (adjust to taste)

1 tbsp Ghee

3 tbsp Yogurt

½ C Milk or as required (lukewarm)

Oil for shallow frying

Black Sesame Seeds or Nigella seeds , as required

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For Filling

2 medium sized Onions, finely chopped (adjust the amount as per need)

2 tsp chopped Green chillies

1 tsp finely chopped Garlic

1 tsp finely chopped Ginger

1 tbsp + 1tbsp fresh Coriander/Cilantro, finely chopped

1 tbsp Mint leaves, finely chopped

A generous pinch Ajwain (Carrom seeds)

1/2 tsp Red chili powder

Salt to taste

Mix the flour, semolina, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Pour the ghee and yogurt to the flour mix and rub together the flour mix with fingers.

Using the milk, knead soft pliable dough. (Knead well for 5 – 6 minutes to achieve that)

Cover and keep aside the dough at a warm place for half an hour and then knock it down. Keep it covered again for rising for another, at least, 45 minutes. But I would advise to let it rise for two hours (time will also depend on the climatic conditions)

Combine all the ingredients for filling in a bowl except 1 tablespoon of chopped coriander.

Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and make the balls using dry flour. Roll the balls into small disc shape and place 1 tablespoon of stuffing in the middle of the rolled ball. (Use more if you like) Bring together the edges of the disc and seal the edges by pinching the dough. (Check here how to do that) Stuff all the dough balls in the same manner and keep them aside on a greased plate.

Meanwhile place a griddle on medium heat. Using some flour, start rolling out the kulcha with a rolling pin to 6 inch diameter (approx) size. Moisten the rolled flatbread with a little water and sprinkle sesame seeds or nigella seeds and then some chopped coriander. With very gentle hands press it onto the flatbread.

Once the tawa is hot enough (not smoking), carefully transfer the kulcha, sprinkled side up, on it. In a few seconds the color of the kulcha will begin to change. Flip it over. Once the bottom side begins to change color and you see it beginning to rise slightly (bubble like), flip it over again and apply half teaspoon oil all over it (i.e. the side on which we sprinkled sesame/nigella and chopped coriander). Flip it and cook till it becomes golden or golden brown (whatever your preference). (You can apply oil on both sides but I avoid it) Remove from heat and serve hot with Chhole. Make more kulchas with the rest of the dough.

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Yield: 8 Kulche

Note: Add salt and other ingredients to the onions just before you begin to make the filling and roll the flatbreads. Else, the onions will release water.

Note: I sometimes add some grated paneer along with the rest of the ingredients (mentioned under ‘filling’ heading) to serve along with the chhole or enjoy it on its own with some pickle and buttermilk.

Note: Feel free to apply some Ghee on the flatbreads before serving

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23 thoughts on “CHHOLE w/ TAWA KULCHE – छोले और तवा कुलचा (No-Oil Chick Pea Curry w/ Onion stuffed Flatbread)

  1. This looks stupendous! Loads of flavor, and although I like spicy, I agree the main ingredients should be the star, not the spices. Great to find a recipe with no oil, too — much healthier. This really is wonderful — thanks.

  2. Wow, the flabread looks delicious and yes, even better paired with the chickpeas…awesome meal!
    Hope you are having a great week 😀

  3. Wow,such adorable clicks,I am seeing them over and over 🙂 I am just noticing your blog has new looks,very nice,please visit me too

  4. I could make a meal out of your flatbread! However, I’m sure it’s a wonderful complement to the curry. Both look and sounds delicious and of course, you photography really shows that together they are irresistible.

  5. I’d never heard of chhole, but love curries and a chance to use garam masala, jaja. And that filled flatbread! I really love indian flatbreads, though I don’t know much about them, except that I like to eat them… wonderful pics Taruna!

  6. I went through the post multiple times. Trying to decide which picture I like the most. Then reading what you had t say. Then the pictures again and then the recipe. When everything is so good, it is unfair to praise just one!

  7. My father-in-law is in a nursing home. Several of the carers are from India and one is from Gujarat where my father-in-law was born. She keeps telling him she’ll teach him the language. (he moved to Australia when he was 2)

    Another one is from Punjab and wants to teach him her language. They both bring him food from home and before he eats it, he calls to ask me if I think it’s going to be too hot or spicy. As if I could tell over the phone! 🙂

    We would both love this!

    1. How sweet! Indians from the various regions/states of India are proud of their culture & food and they love to share.
      Hahaha…Its funny how your FIL expects the foodie in you to judge the food over the phone!!
      From now on you can tell him that the food from the Gujarati’s house is most likely to have sweet undertones to it (they usually add jaggery or sugar to their curries and other preparations) 😉
      As for the Punjabi, the food might be rich and spicy; although this varies for household to household. Even I happen to be a Punjabi but I have always seen light, mild & less spicy curries being dished out from my Mum’s kitchen. 🙂

  8. Choley, onion kulcha, and no oil. My three favorite things. I LOVE YOUR BLOG! The photography is mouthwatering and well detailed and the beautiful descriptions are so fun to read. I’m entertained and famished all at once. Please keep up the good work! 🙂

  9. I have same taste pallet as urs means I too don’t add too much spices to my dishes as spices overpower d taste of d basic ingredient.ur recipe is superb and simple.just loved dis.

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