Chickpeas Sundried Tomatoes

Date: Fri, 19 Nov 93 10:26:05 CST
From: cgibas@wraightc3.life.uiuc.edu (Cynthia J. Gibas)


Chhole (chickpeas) with sundried tomatoes: yum!

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

serve over rice or bulgur