What is Chole Kulche Recipe?

Chole Kulche is a popular North Indian street food dish consisting of spicy chickpea curry (chole) served with soft, fluffy bread rolls (kulche). It's a delicious and satisfying dish that is commonly enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or as a snack. Here's a simple recipe to make Chole Kulche:

Ingredients:

For Chole (Chickpea Curry):

- 1 cup dried chickpeas (or 2 cans of cooked chickpeas)

- 2 medium-sized onions, finely chopped

- 2 tomatoes, finely chopped

- 2-3 green chilies, finely chopped

- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste

- 2 teaspoons chole masala (a spice blend available in Indian grocery stores)

- 1 teaspoon red chili powder

- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

- 2 tablespoons oil or ghee

- Salt to taste

- Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

For Kulche (Bread Rolls):

- 2 cups all-purpose flour

- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

- 1/2 cup yogurt

- 1 tablespoon oil

- Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. If using dried chickpeas, soak them overnight in water. Drain and rinse before using. If using canned chickpeas, skip this step.

2. To make the chole (chickpea curry), heat oil or ghee in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.

3. Add finely chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.

4. Add ginger-garlic paste and green chilies. Cook for a minute until the raw smell disappears.

5. Add chopped tomatoes, chole masala, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt. Mix well and cook until the tomatoes are soft and well blended with the spices.

6. Add the soaked or canned chickpeas to the pan. If using dried chickpeas, you can pressure cook them separately until tender and then add to the pan. Mix well to coat the chickpeas with the spice mixture.

7. Cook the chole for about 15-20 minutes on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If needed, add some water to adjust the consistency.

8. Meanwhile, prepare the kulche (bread rolls). In a mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, oil, yogurt, and salt. Mix well to form a soft dough. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes smooth.

9. Divide the dough into small balls and roll each ball into a flat oval-shaped bread (kulcha). You can sprinkle some nigella seeds (kalonji) or sesame seeds on top for added flavor.

10. Heat a tawa (griddle) or non-stick pan over medium heat. Cook each kulcha on the tawa until it puffs up and develops golden-brown spots on both sides. Apply a little oil or ghee while cooking for a crisp texture.

11. Once the chole is cooked and the kulchas are ready, serve the chole in a bowl, garnished with fresh coriander leaves. Serve hot kulchas on the side.

Chole Kulche is traditionally served with pickles, sliced onions, and a squeeze of lemon juice for added tanginess. Enjoy this flavorful dish as a meal or snack.