Bombay
Bhel Puri
Chaat
is an term for a quick eat, often found in the streets of many Indian
cities. This was especially popularized in the streets of Mumbai
(Bombay).
This is now found in many Indian towns and major cities.
Often
chaats are sold by street vendors in a Push-Cart, where the Chaatwala or
the Chaat guy prepares lots of tasty snacks to customers.
The
popular chaats include Bhel Puri, Masala Puri, Vada Pav etc. These days
chaats can be found in many Indian restaurants cooking up dishes like
Pav Bhaji, Cutlets and many other 'exquisite' Indian snacks. Here you'll
find recipes for some popular chaats .
1
packet of puffed rice
1 packet bhel mix or sev
2 cups coarsely chopped boiled potatoes
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 tbsps freshly roasted and ground cumin
1 or 2 green chilies, chopped
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
4 tbsps tamarind
1/2 cup jaggery or brown sugar
1 cup chopped onions
First
boil the potatoes. Peel, chop and salt them, add chaat masala to taste.
Add the cilantro leaves. Roast the cumin and grind it. Dissolve the
tamarind concentrate in 1 cup of hot water, and let it simmer to thicken
gradually. Dissolve the jaggery (or sugar) until the sauce becomes tart
and slightly sweet.
You
may add some salt and ground red paprika, if you want to. The sauce
should be of a consistency slightly thinner than maple syrup. Pour into
a serving container (like a creamer). Mix the puffed rice and sev/bhel
mix in a large bowl.
On
your plate, serve the rice-bhel mixture, add the potatoes, then the
onions, chilies, dust the chaat masala powder over it. Then pour the
sauce and top off with the coriander garnish.
