Chole with cumin rice & raita
Make a chickpea curry served with raita for a brilliant budget-friendly family meal. As well as being quick and easy, it's healthy too
To make the kachumber salad, mix all the ingredients in a large bowl and set aside.
To make the raita, mix all the ingredients in a large bowl and set aside. When you're ready to serve, add 1 tsp salt if required and mix well (if you add the salt before this, it will draw out the water, so only add it just before serving).
To make the choleh, heat the oil in a large saucepan, then add the onions and cook for 8-10 mins over a low-medium heat, until softened. Add the garlic, ginger and chillies, and cook for a further 2-3 mins. Add a splash of water to the pan if the mixture sticks to the bottom. Add the tomatoes and another splash of water, continue to cook for 5-10 mins until the onions and tomatoes are well combined. Add 2 tsp salt and the spices, and cook for 10 mins more until the mixture is well incorporated, and the oil separates. Add some more water if needed to stop it sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Tip in the chickpeas, and 500ml water. Cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes. Once they're softened, using a potato masher, mash the chickpeas until they're partially broken up (this helps to thicken the sauce), and then simmer for another 10 minutes. Scatter with the coriander, to serve.
To make the bhature, mix all the ingredients with a metal spoon in a large bowl, until it forms a shaggy dough. Oil a large bowl and your hand with some flavourless oil. Then, knead until the dough is springy and well combined. If the dough seems dry, add more warm water as you go. Smear some oil on the surface of the dough, transfer to the oiled bowl and cover it with a damp tea towel. Leave to rest for 2-3 hours.
Meanwhile, if making the butter, melt the butter in a small pan and add the garlic. Fry until aromatic, add the chopped coriander and nigella seeds, and set aside until needed.
Divide the dough into 16 equal portions. Take one piece of dough, roll into a ball and, using a rolling pin, roll until it’s around 1cm in thickness and oval shape. Heat a dry frying pan/thava until it's hot and drop the dough on. Bubbles will rise on the surface after a minute or so. Turn it over and cook on the other side for 2 mins. Spread some of the butter on top and serve with all of the accompaniments.