Chole Masala - Punjabi iStyle

the punjabi "iStyle" has nothing to do with apple, its a desi attitude filled statement. :)
chole is something that i always wanted to make... my roomie Ankush was my inspiration.. he makes out of the world chole and we always end up eating sooooo much... plus theres always the childhood memories of my favourite aunty's chole!! :D WOWWWW....

honestly speaking this one wasnt even close to what aunty or ankush make but in a way in the neighbourhood (even though a little far off). lots of improvements needed but i know what!! :D

Ingredients:
Kabuli chana (chickpeas) - 500gms
Onions - 4 - 6
Tomatoes - 4 - 6
Ginger - 2" piece
Garlic - 4 -6 cloves
Green chillies - 2
Jeera (cumin seeds) - 1 tbps
Tea leaves in a muslin cloth
Oil


Optional:
Potatoes

Masala:
Salt to taste
Chole masala - 2 Tbps
garam masala - little for kicks
Red chilly powder - 1 tbps
turmeric powder - 1 teaspoon or less

Preparations:

1. Boil the chana daal in a cooker with enough water and a teabag for flavour. Let the cooker whistle 3 - 4 times so that the chana is amazingly soft. keep it aside. 
2. Throw aside the tea bag
3. Separate the boiled chana and the water. keep the water, it will be used in the gravy. 
4. Put some oil in a pan and heat it
5. Put jeera into it and roast
6. Put onions into it and roast till pink (new colour introduced into Food for Dummies)
7. Put the tomatoes in and fry till they cook 
8. Add the masalas - chole masala, garam masala, red chilly powder, turmeric powder and cook it till the raw smell of masalas dont come in. 
9. Add the boiled chana daal and mix well. 
10. Add salt to taste. about 2 teaspoons. 
11. Add the water from the cooker for the chana and the masala to cook. 
12. Add a boiled potato if you like, its my favourite. the amazing taste of chole masala in the potato... WOW!! :D 
13. Cook the whole bit for 5mins or till the liquid comes to a boil
14. Simmer for a few mins till the liquid is thick and flavourful. 
15. Eat hot with chopped onions, metha imli chutney if u like and bread!! :D 

Tips:

1. Theres nothing called excessive chole masala... the more the better taste. and by saying that i dont mean put the whole packet but dont be afraid to be generous. 
2. Be generous abt the onions and the tomatoes portions, cause thats the only base in which the taste is and the whole dish rides on it. i made that mistake of proportion and wasnt able to make all the chana that i boiled. 
3. Indian break, white bread, rice or nothing goes perfectly with chole...