How to make Chole Masala Recipe

Very important step is to soak chole in water overnight.Add five cup of water, salt and pressure cook the chickpeas until they appear tender. Eat one and see if they are cooked if not cooked then pressure cook for more time.Firstly keep all the ingredients chopped and ready for the recipe.Grind all the ingredients into a paste, if the paste is a bit coarse that is also fine. However don't add water or add 1 tbsp water while grinding.Saute cumin seed in hot oil.Once they crackle add the bay leaves.Now saute the onion.Put asafoetida powder.Once the color of the onion changes to pale brown in color as you see in the pic below.It's time to add the ground paste.Mix all nicely.Add half of chopped coriander leaves.Put all the spice powders now but don't add the chole masala powder we will add it towards the end.Stir and mix well.Add few drops of water if the mixture dries.Keep stirring until oil starts leaving towards the edges.Put the boiled chole and mix well.Add 1 cup of water and stir nicely.Put salt and mix again.Cover and simmer for 5 min.Remove the lid and cook for another 3-4 mins.The gravy would start thickening by now.Once they start bubbling add the chole garam masala powder.Stir nicely then add rest of chopped coriander leaves.Switch off the gas and serve chole masala with jeera rice, bhatura, roti, naan or toasted bread.