Thursday, February 4, 2010

Poori and Chole/Indian fried bread and chickpeas curry

There used to be an advertisement on TV while I was growing up in India the lyric “Sundrop super refined sunflower oil…….,” While the jingle plays, a boy summer-saults into the kitchen; where his mother is bringing a plate laden with beautifully round pin cushion like pooris. She dodges around him with the plate and a poori runs down, the boy leaps rescuing it. The jingle continues “…..the healthy oil for healthy people!” I would run to the TV to watch this ad every time it came on. It’s not just the advertisement that got me liking the pooris. I can say this with surety because, if you remember oil is marketed.  Poori which is loved universally and especially by kids is the bait. At least that’s what I believe.
Poking fingers on the crispy top, seeing it crack under your finger’s pressure, steam rising bringing with it the aroma of the light oil and whole wheat are all part of the joy of eating pooris. It helps creativity on table if you like it! I say! Why I say that is because, some of us open the thin layer on top carefully and fill the chana or potato bhajji inside, and eat them like you would a greek gyro sandwich made with pita bread. However, the top is flimsy thin so not as sturdy as the pita bread. Like I said, this is something fun you can try for fun.

So where were we? This is a fun, tasty breakfast or dinner as you please. I have shared below the way I cook them and I hope you will enjoy this as much as my entire family does.

Puri

FOR POORI

Ingredients:

Wheat flour- 1 cup
Semolina- 2 Tsp
Salt- to taste
Boiling water- 1/2 cup + 1 or 2 tbspoon depending on the flour
Oil- for deep frying

Method:

1.Mix wheat flour, semolina and salt in a mixing bowl, preferably a steel one.
2.Boil the water in a pan and add to the flour mixture, right from the stove top. Mix well using a big spoon.
3.Once it is cool enough for your hand, knead well using your hand.Cover the bowl and keep aside for 20-30 minutes.
4.Heat the oil for frying on medium to medium high.
5.Make small balls of dough and roll out using a rolling pin.To avoid stickiness you could dip one end in oil before rolling out.
6.Once the oil is hot enough slide in the poori in oil and fry , while flipping the sides using a slotted spoon or skimmer.
7.When it starts turing slightly golden brown, take out and keep in a plate that has kitchen towels/tissues to remove excess oil.
8.Serve with channa curry/chole or any side dish of your choice.

Chole

FOR CHOLE/CHICKPEAS CURRY

Ingredients

Chickpeas- 1/2 cup
Blacktea- 2 cups (2 tea bags)
Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
Onion- 1/2
Tomato- 1/2
Chole masala- 1-2Tsp
Cumin powder- 1/4 Tsp
Coriander powder- 1 Tsp
Chilli powder- 1/2 Tsp
salt- to taste
Oil- 2 Tbsp
Coriander leaves- for garnishing

Method:

1.Wash and soak the chickpeas for 8 hours or overnight in black tea/water.  Soaking in black tea adds to the color and flavor.  This step is optional you can soak it in just water too.
2.Add turmeric and salt and cook in same water.
3.Grind onion and tomato to a fine paste.
4.Heat oil in a pan.Saute the tomato onion paste till it is done and oil start leaving the sides of pan.
5.Add all the other spice powders and saute till the raw smell leaves.
6.Pour in the cooked channa to this and mix well.
7.Boil theis and lower the heat and cook covered for at least 15 minutes.Adjust the water while boiling.
8.Serve with coriander leaves sprinkled on top, as a side dish for roti, chappathi, rice or poori.

Chole

Notes:

1.If you are not too calorie conscious, add a teaspoon of butter or ghee while making the poori dough.This makes it even softer.
2.If you do not have chole masala, add more of cumin, coriander and chilli powder and it will be fine.

Contributor : Namitha

65 comments:

  1. hey ..cannot see the pics..but same pinch..me too have a chikpeas post !!

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  2. Even i cant see the pictures dear...

    I can never say no to delicious poori and chole:)

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  3. Hi can't see the pics..love the puri-chole..

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  4. I remember the ad you are talking about..but cannot the any pics dear. Will come back again to see the pics :)

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  5. Pics didn't download but I saw them in Flickr, looks delicious.

    DON'T TEMPT ME TO FRYYYYYYY LADY!!!!!!;D

    Didn't know butter or ghee would make Poori softer, will try next time when I make it. Chole, Poori, haven't had them in a long time. Great post.

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  6. oh! sundrop ad..those are my fond memories! I used to get excited too when the ad plays! BTW, Nice Combo & wonderfully presented Namitha. I can see the pictures in ur flickr stream.

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  7. WOW !! they looks like round cushion...you are tempting me with those lovely clicks.

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  8. Now I want to poke my finger and see if steam rise, hehe kidding i like it!
    I checked in flickr too

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  9. very tempting and inviting poori with chole.

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  10. I can eat anytime poori and chole, beautiful clicks..

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  11. Nice looking puffy poori and mouthwatering chole.

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  12. They look fantastic, the pooris are beautifully puffed up and the chole looks divine.

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  13. Wow! love the click..very nice recipe..

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  14. I used to love watching that ad too.Your puris are almost those replicated. Chole is delicious.

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  15. They look awesome.. very nice pics!

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  16. wonderful pictures !!!!poori's look nice and flufy

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  17. wow we remember that ad... your poori looks perfect! and nice combo too.. beautiful click..

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  18. Beautiful puris- They are my favourites! Classic and delicious!

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  19. wow as usual pictures are wonderful and lovely poori..

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  20. wow namitha, this puris with chikpeas gravy look very tempting...nice meal...i love those fullfy puris, evn i used to love that sunflower add:-)

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  21. I used to love spending the weekends with my friend and his family. His mum would make us beautiful meals always accompanied by lots of pooris, this remains me of such good times!

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  22. The pooris look so cool....so well puffed up. Love the chickpeas curry. They look like a great combination.

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  23. Namitha..What a Classic Combo..I do remember the ad..Sunflower oil one. Ur Poori and Chole look JUst PERFECT...with equally perfect Clicks..What more can one ask for..well how about I get to taste some...

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  24. Oh wow, I am going to have to make this now... The poori's look so tempting!

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  25. Yummilicious pooris...pass me the plate...does semolina helps the pooris stay puffed up longer?

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  26. Hi,

    Even i remember that Sundrop Ad. Poori and Gulab Jamun tempted me a lot in that Ad. Both Chole and Poori looks yummy. Great recipe.

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  27. Wow!!! cholle looks so delicious and the puris have come out so well... awesome!

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  28. Puri and chole make a wonderful combo... The puris have come out really well... Do send it to the combo event hosted @ http://cooking-goodfood.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-100th-post-jackfruit-biryani-raita.html

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  29. I remember that ad very well. The puris were perfectly round and fully puffed up. I think yours look pretty close to that :-). Great recipe here

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  30. The pics are stunning..Puri and chole look fab!

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  31. you make me drool... Poori is my all time fav... loved ur presentation as always!

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  32. Oh my god...always your posts make me feel hungry...i juz love those pooris...hmmm..ok..i'll make some for me....lovely clicks dear...tempting....i wish i would be ur neighbour...lol..

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  33. Wow poori channa makes me hungry, lovely click!

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  34. even i loved tht add..n also another add i think it was Dhara oil..in which that cute boy used to come back to home..saying "Jalebi!!" :D
    bdw..ur dish looks delicious!! yummy!
    Renuka
    http://cookingyummy.blogspot.com/

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  35. ur pooris have surely puffed like the sundrop ad and an all time favorite combo. it's been ages that I bought Chana masala. Next time I make I will buy a one for change os taste.
    I announced my first event and this is just a perfect entry for that..check it out when u have time.

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  36. Both the curry and the bread sound excellent!

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  37. Even I used to like that Ad,those big big poori's,vada's r der still in my mind..
    Those poori's are just haunting me dear..gol gol properly fluffed up..and wid chole I can imagine the taste..its just yumm

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  38. I too loved that ad when I was a kid...thanks for reminding it :) it is my all time favorite comfort food...your pictures have really tempted me...so its time for me to prepare the same combo tomorrow :)

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  39. lol, I so remember that ad! Your description was so good I could almost visualize it again in my mind just step by step.. :) Who doesn't love poori and chhole, this dish just looks gorgeous!

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  40. Nice puffy pooris and chole looks divine too. Nice presentation ....Y don't you send this for combo event dear.
    Deepa
    http://hamareerasoi.blogspot.com/

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  41. YUM! Your chickpea curry and bread look absolutely delicious and beautiful!!! They both sound simple to make, I think I can give them a go very soon. Thanks for telling about the sub ingredients for chole masala.

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  42. gorgeous looking pooris , all puffed up and cushiony:) perfect with my favorite chick peas

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  43. oh i am also a big fan of that ad.
    The hot vadas,pooris...wow.
    poori looks so nice and adding hot water to it is new to me.will try next time

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  44. The Pooris are perfect...fluffy, heavenly delights...well made..

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  45. wow...poori n chola ..perfect combo...yummy..poori looks so fluffy n soft!

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  46. Me too loved the add... i still sing aloo matar, dher saare matar when i make aloo matar.
    Love your pics... I guess i m so late tht all the pic download matter sorted itself...

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  47. woooooowwww.....i just love these combo...so yummy....dint make it in a while just thinking of the amount of fat that would go in...:(but the pics are so tempting...

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  48. Yummy combo, looks inviting and delicious.

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  49. first class puri and chick peas...vert temting

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  50. Heh! I'm a little fond of ads too! I eat this combo for breakfast like 5 times a month! Delicious!

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  51. Both teh poori and the chickpea curry look delicious! I could use a bit of both right now.

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  52. Wow Very pleasing,I am sure it tastes awesome,great combo!!!

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  53. Wooow.. now thats a 100% tempting recipe!!.. I llooove the puris and the masala.. oh, lovely!!.. and as always.. wonderfully pictured!!.. mmm.. yummy!:)

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  54. OMG ...the puris are awesome, am planning to feed my son his first puris, this is going to be the recipe ....thanks Gulmohar

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  55. Chole puris were one of my favorites, gorgeous clicks!

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  56. MM.... Chole n Puris.. Whattay combo!! I can just imagine how tatsy they would be!
    Lovely clicks as always!

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  57. wow, chole and puris look so good..nice clicks..

    www.foodlyrics.com

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