Chole "Bill And Jim" (Chick Peas)

Ingredients	Quantity
Chick peas	15oz (1 can)
Onion chopped finely	1 large
Potatoes (optional)	1 Medium size
Mustard seeds  (optional)	1 tsp
Cardamom (remove seeds and discard hulls)	2 to 3
Coriander	1 tsp
Cumin seeds	1 tsp
Garam masala	1 tbsp
Vegetable oil
Bay leaf	3
Whole cloves	4

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. Wait until 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.

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.