Chhole "Bill and Jim (Chick Peas)

Ingredients:

This recipe is named after Bill Chiles and Jim Muller both of whom liked
my concoctions well enough that I started cooking this a lot.  This is a
real simple way of making chick peas.  It barely takes 15 minutes and
the result is quite delicious.  Ask Jim and Bill.

Ingredients:
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1 can        Chick peas (also called garbanzo beans)
             (Progresso is a good brand.)
1            large Onion chopped finely
2            medium sized  Potatoes (optional)
1 tsp        Mustard seeds
2 or 3 pods  Cardamom
1 tsp        Coriander
1 tsp        Cumin seeds
1 tblsp      Garam Masala
Vegetable Oil

Method:

Method:
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If you are using the potatoes, start boiling them in a saucepan.  Let
them boil for at least 15 minutes.  After they are done, turn off the
heat and let them stand in the water.
 
While the potatoes are cooking, heat the oil in a wide skillet until it
is very hot.  Add the mustard seeds and wait until they start popping.
Add bay leaves, cardamom and cloves.
 
Mix around for a while and then add onions.  Waituntill the onion starts
to turn golden before adding the rest of the spices (except for the
Garam Masala).
 
Add chick-peas with all the liquid.  Cut up the potatoes into bite sized
pieces and add to the skillet.  Add Garam Masala.
 
Continue stirring the chick-peas under medium heat for 5-7 minutes
without covering.
 
Check the tenderness of the potatoes.  If they are still too hard, add
another 1/4 cup of water and cook for another couple of minutes.
 
Salt to taste and serve.