HOW TO COOK KABULI CHANA / CHICK PEAS WITHOUT BAKING SODA
HOW TO COOK KABULI CHANA / CHOLE WITHOUT BAKING SODA
Chickpeas nutrition boasts high levels of iron, zinc, folate, phosphorus, and B vitamins, all of which are especially important for vegetarians and vegans who may be lacking in these essential nutrients due to avoiding animal products. Chickpeas are great source of folate, also called Vitamin B6.
The chickpea or chick pea (Cicer arietinum) is an annual legume of the family Fabaceae subfamily Faboideae. Its different types are variously known as gram or Bengal gram,[garbanzo or garbanzo bean, Egyptian pea. Chickpea seeds are high in protein. It is one of the earliest cultivated legumes, and 7500-year-old remains have been found in the Middle East.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup chole
Salt to taste
Water
Cooker
PREPARATION
Clean , wash rinse and soak the chana in lots of water for 8 hrs or over night . [ water level 4 inches above the chana ]
Soaking is important for two main reasons. First, soaking dried chickpeas softens them, thereby cutting down the amount of time they need to cook. Second, the soaking process breaks down many of the gas-inducing sugars in the beans, thereby making them easier to digest.
After soaking it swells to 3 times its original size .
Next day drain the water .
Transfer it to a cooker .
Add water above the soaked chick pea level. [ 1 inch above the soaked chanas ]
Add salt .
Pressure cook on medium flame upto first whistle.
Now lower the flame lowest and cook for 10 mins for perfect soft chanas .
If you want more soft then cook upto 15 mins for more softer chanas .
For gravies ,10 mins is more than enough .
This method of soaking and pressure cook is best way .
There are other ways like soaking in hot water / adding baking soda etc.there will be a difference in taste and texture .
HOW TO COOK KABULI CHANA / CHOLE WITHOUT BAKING SODA
VARIATIONS
There is no need to add baking soda.
Baking soda is added if the water used to cook the chanas are hard . Baking sodaadjusts the ph level of the water, allowing the beans to soften as usual. If you’re using hard water or beans damaged by age or storage, add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda for 500 grms chana to the soaking water.
While boiling some add tea bags , so that the chanas get a dark shade .
Instead of cooking the chana first and then adding to the gravy , we can directly cook the masala in the cooker , add soaked chole and cook in similar way .
Chickpeas are high in protein and make an excellent replacement for meat in vegetarian and vegan diet
Chickpeas contain a range of nutrients, including protein, which is necessary for bone, muscle, and skin health.
For people who are cutting down on meat consumption, a dish of chickpeas and rice, for example, can contribute a significant amount of protein to the diet. A cup of chickpeas provides almost one-third of an adult’s daily protein needs.
