Chole has always been one of my favourite dals since I was a kid. It’s bloody easy to make, and tastes amazing. Now, if you were in Northern India, you can find Chole added to almost everything, from samosas to chaat, as well as the always popular chole-chawal or Chole Bhature.
I have never really liked Chole Bhature as it always gives me indigestion. My close friend Sudarshan explained it very beautifully. He calls it “ONGC”. Eagle eyed readers may note that this could be the acronym for Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (India) which is exactly what Chole Bhature is.
Instead, I like my chole in the simple way, with rice. My mum used to make it all the time and honestly I think hers tasted better than whatever I can make. This sadly backfired on her once, though. My father was an Iranian national and generally averted vegetarian food like the plague, while my mum was a die-hard religious vegetarian. During their courtship, she once served him Chole, and it didn’t go well. You see, in Iran, the most common use for Chick Peas is that to feed donkeys or mules. Arguably, you don’t want your lady love to call you a donkey before marriage. Either way, he felt insulted but liked it once he tasted it.
Also, my mother called him much worse than Donkey after they got married.
It tastes especially good as leftovers. Either way, if you want to make your own spiced donkey food, let’s Go To The Kitchen.
