Last night I wanted to make Indian chickpea stuff (chhole) but I didn't have
any real tomatoes. But I did have a package of sun dried tomatoes, so I
used them instead, and got a thick, rich sauce that compensated well for the
lack of the 6 T. of oil that I would have used last time I made this stuff
(yuck, can't believe I ate that!). This looks kind of complicated, because
I am not good at making recipes appear simple, but it really takes only about
1/2 hr starting from cooked chickpeas.
2 c. dried chickpeas, soaked and cooked until tender.
5 medium onions, minced or (if you want to save time) pureed.
reserve about 1/4 c. onion, then saute (or reduce) onion in a wok or deep
frying pan.
Add: 3 oz. sun dried tomatoes plus several dried red chilies, rehydrated
and pureed. Cook for about 5 min. You should have a thick, somewhat dry
paste.
Add:
2 T. cumin (or more if you like)
2 T. ground coriander seed
stir for a minute or so and then add
1 c. chickpea water,
1/2 t. turmeric
2 t. (or more) garam masala
enough cayenne pepper to make you happy with the hotness
salt to taste
stir and add chickpeas. Simmer until the sauce reduces to a dry stuff that
clings to the chickpeas.
Coat with a mixture of:
reserved chopped onion
juice of 2 lemons
one or more fresh green chilies, minced
grated fresh ginger (start with a 1" piece)
2 t. salt if desired
