Delicious One-Pot Chole Pulav Recipe: A Wholesome Indian Delight

Chole Pulav is a delightful fusion of hearty chickpeas and fragrant basmati rice, cooked with aromatic spices to create a wholesome, protein-rich dish. This North Indian-style pulav is not only nutritious but also incredibly flavorful, making it a perfect choice for lunch, dinner, or even lunchbox meals. Here’s a simple recipe to make this comforting dish at home.

Ingredients
For the rice:

● 1 cup basmati rice (washed and soaked for 20 minutes)

● 1½ cups boiled chickpeas (or 1 cup dried chickpeas soaked overnight and pressure cooked)

● 2 tbsp oil or ghee

● 1 medium onion (thinly sliced)

● 1 medium tomato (finely chopped)

● 1 green chili (slit)

● 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste

● ¼ tsp turmeric powder

● ½ tsp red chili powder

● 1 tsp coriander powder

● ½ tsp garam masala

● Salt to taste

● 2 cups water

● Fresh coriander leaves (for garnishing)

Whole spices:
● 1 bay leaf

● 1 black cardamom

● 2 green cardamoms

● 4-5 black peppercorns

● 1-inch cinnamon stick

● 2 cloves

● 1 tsp cumin seeds


Method
Step 1: Prepare the base
1. Heat oil or ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan or pressure cooker.

2. Add the whole spices: bay leaf, cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon, black peppercorns, and cumin seeds. Let them splutter.

3. Add sliced onions and sauté until golden brown.

Step 2: Add the aromatics and spices
4. Add the ginger-garlic paste and green chili. Sauté for a minute until the raw smell goes away.
5. Mix in the chopped tomatoes and cook until soft and mushy.
6. Add turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. Stir well to combine.
Step 3: Combine chickpeas and rice
7. Add the boiled chickpeas to the masala and mix thoroughly.
8. Now add the soaked and drained rice. Sauté gently for 2-3 minutes to coat the rice with the spices.
9. Pour in 2 cups of water and add garam masala. Check salt and adjust if needed.
Step 4: Cook the pulav
● For pressure cooker: Close the lid and cook for 1 whistle on medium flame. Turn off the heat and allow the pressure to release naturally.

● For open pot method: Cover and cook on low flame until rice is done and water is absorbed. Fluff gently with a fork.


Serving Suggestion
Garnish the Chole Pulav with fresh coriander leaves. Serve it hot with raita, salad, or a simple bowl of curd. It also goes well with pickle or papad for a complete meal.

Tips
● Use canned chickpeas if you're short on time.

● For extra richness, you can add a spoon of ghee while cooking the rice.

● You can make it spicier by adding a pinch of crushed kasuri methi or an extra green chili.

Chole Pulav is a hearty and satisfying dish that’s packed with flavor and nutrition. Whether you're looking for a quick weekday dinner or a lunchbox special, this one-pot recipe is a must-try.