Sunday, January 18, 2009

Day 2: Chhole and Raita

Continue with North India.

  • Basic chhole
  • Basic raita
  • Meal: chhole, rice, raita

6 comments:

  1. I really liked the Chhole. It may have been better with bite-size white chicken and maybe some vegetables (not sure though). I didn't like the Rita as much but I'm not a big fan of Yogurt.

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  2. The Chhole was really good but i think it needed bite sized white chicken and a little more spice. I liked the Rita bit i think it could have been a little sweeter.

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  3. Raita Recipe(also sent by Evan Sobkowicz):

    • 2 finely chopped European Cucumbers [your choice of cucumbers, peeled or not]
    • 1 (or most of 1) Serrano pepper
    • 1 teaspoon Cumin Seeds
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • Plain Yogurt (about 8 large spoonfuls or so)
    • Mint [leaves, chopped]

    Mix all ingredients and stir. [Let it "sit" for some time to let all the flavors leach out into the yogurt.]

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  4. This week's was a little spicy for me, but I liked it. I found whole garbanzo beans in mine, but I liked that too. The raita could have done without the serrano, but again, that's just me, and I loved the mint.

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  5. There were also cumin seeds and a large can of diced tomatoes (rather than tomato paste) in the delicious chhole. I made it at home with pinto beans (which I had on hand) and it was good, too, but not as good as chickpeas. I think you could use anything on hand --- peas, greenbeans, potatoes, tofu --- and it would be good. Great job, everyone.

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  6. Chhole Recipe (as sent to me by Evan Sobkowicz):

    Ingredients
    • Oil (Cover bottom of pot)
    • Mustard Seeds (about a teaspoon)
    • 1 Onion (chopped)
    • Ginger & Garlic Paste (about 2 spoonfuls)
    • Garam Masala (powdered) (about 1 heaping spoonful)
    • 1 (large) can Diced Tomatoes (NOT tomato paste)
    • 3 (normal) cans Garbanzo Beans
    • Salt (about 1 1/2 teaspoons)

    Cover the bottom of the pot with oil, add mustard seeds. When mustard seeds start to pop add onion and stir-fry. Add ginger & garlic paste and stir. Add garam masala and diced tomatoes [until cooked, about 5 to 8 minutes]. Then add garbanzo beans and salt and stir. Bring to a boil and wait [simmer] about 5 minutes. Mush garbanzo beans (we used a slitted metal spoon). Serve with rice [or roti].

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