Chole Masala/ Chick peas curry/ Garbanzo beans curry

Its cold outside n hungry stomaches are waiting for some hot food with steaming rice. I started to think what to cook for today's lunch n these chick peas flashed in to my mind, telling how  yummy n at the same time how nutritious they are.. Luckily, i had some boiled chick peas sitting in freezer. I always boil 3-4 cups of chick peas, rajma n black eyed peas individually n store them in freezer for up to 3-4 months.. This saves me lot of time..

Recipe for authentic Indian food, loved by people all over the world..
Source: own
Preparation time:  15 mins
Cooking time20 mins
Serves: 3-4 


Ingredients:
Chick peas 2 cups( Soak them overnight or for at least 7 hrs)  
Onion: 1medium sized, finely chopped
Tomatoes: 2 medium sized, finely chopped
Cumin seeds: 1tsp
Turmeric: 1 tsp
Ginger Garlic paste: 1 tsp
Green chili: 2, chopped
Channa masala powder: 2 tsp,(store bought, here i used badshah)
Red chili  powder: 1/2tsp(to taste)
Salt: 1tsp( to taste)
Oil: 1tbsp(normally, i use olive oil)
Lemon juice: to taste
Cilantro: 1/2 cup, chopped
Bay leaves: 2
Cloves:2
Elachi: 1
Cinnamon stick : 1 ( 2 inch piece)
Water: 4 cups + 2 cups

Cooking:
1) In a pressure cooker,  add chick peas, bay leaves ,cloves, Elachi, cinnamon stick, 1/2 tsp salt and water. Cook them up to 3 whistles n let them cool down. (If u want u can add a tea bag)

      I boiled these chickpeas 11/2 month before and still they are fresh...
2) Meanwhile, in a pan, heat oil n add cumin seeds. when they splutter add onions n green chili. Cook until onions are translucent. Add turmeric n ginger garlic paste n cook for 1min.
3) Now, add tomatoes n cook until they are soft. Mash them with spatula , so that they turned out into paste.( u can add little bit of water from cooked chick peas, to tomatoes)
4) Now, add water from cooked chick peas ,if u have any, or use 2 cups of water, and bring to a boil.
5) Add peas, Cover n cook for 10 mins. Now with spatula, mash some chick peas so that gravy turns out thick.

6) Cover n cook for another 5 mins on medium heat
7) Switch off the stove, garnish with cilantro. If u want u can add cream.
8) Before serving add lemon juice.

Enjoy with rice, chapathi, puri, naan.