Chhole/Chānā Masālā

The addition of mint and black tea to this gravy, a technique I learned from my Mumbai-native aunt Shruti Foi, is specifically designed to transform the humble chickpea into chhole. Chickpeas provide dietary fiber and play a role in modifying the gut microbiome,²⁶ so they are excellent for maintaining gut health. Black tea is used to cook dried chickpeas to give them a deeper color, but I use it primarily for depth of flavor. Mint provides