Sev Aloo Papdi Chaat

They say "All is fair in love and war". I would like to add just one more thing - Chaat. Why? Well, simply because most chaats come out of mixing just about anything you like. So, one day I started off with boiling potatoes thinking I will make Aloo Chaat. Then I suddenly remembered I had cucumbers...oh, and Sev as well. So things tended towards Sev Puri. Not to forget the papdis that we purchased a week ago.....umm.. I'm thinking Papdi Chaat. Then *boom* I had this idea.. why not combine all the three? After all, there are NO rules to making chaat. And I had it MY WAY!!


Ingredients
1 Potato - Boiled and diced
1/2 Tomato - Diced
1/2 Onion - Finely chopped
1/2 Cup - Cucumber, diced
1/2 tbsp. Red chili powder (You can use Cayenne or Paprika powder too)
1/2 tsp. Turmeric powder
10 pcs. Ready-to-eat Flat Chaat Puris (Papdi), randomly crushed
1/2 Cup - Spicy Indian Mixture
3/4th Cup - Fine Sev
1/2 Cup - Yogurt, whipped to a smooth texture
2 fl. oz. Sweet Tamarind Chutney

Refer Quick and Easy Sweet Tamarind Chutney under the Basics category for instructions

A few sprigs of cilantro/coriander to garnish
Oil
And, of course, some salt to taste!!



Method
- Heat about 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok (kadaai)
- Toss in the boiled and diced potatoes and fry
- Add salt, chili powder and turmeric powder and fry for about 2 minutes on a medium flame
- In a bowl, add the fried potato pieces
- Top up with the tomatoes, cucumber, onions, crushed papdi and mixture
- Pour the sweet tamarind chutney and drizzle some yogurt
- Garnish with sev and coriander


SERVES 2

Masala Puri

Hot chaats are not too common. Samosa Chaat is a perfect example. But, if you have been to South India, and Bangalore in particular, a "hot" favourite is Masala Puri, dubbed as Masaalpuri by the famous gaadi-walas.

Ingredients

1 cup - Boiled green peas (Do not throw away the water in which the peas are boiled)

1 Potato - Boiled and mashed

1/2 Tomato - cubed

1/2 Onion - cubed

1 tsp - Red chillie powder

1/2 tsp - Turmuric powder

3/4 tsp - Dhania powder

1/2 tsp - Garam Masala powder

1 green chillie - finely chopped

2 tsp - Tamarind paste

1 tbsp ginger garlic paste

10 pieces flat chaat puris - crushed

1/2 cup - Fine Sev

1/4 cup - Yogurt, whipped

Finely chopped Cilantro for garnishing

1 tsp oil

And, of course, some salt to taste!!

Method

- Mix the tamarind paste with the chillie powder, dhania powder, garam masala powder, turmeric, salt and giner garlic paste

- In a saucepan, heat the oil and add the chopped green chillie

- Add the prepared mixture and stir just for under a minute on a low flame

- Toss in the boiled peas along with the water in which you boiled them

- Add the mashed potatoes

- Further mash all these ingredients to a semi-sauce texture.

- On a low flame allow this to simmer and thicken

- Once it reaches a somewhat thick texture turn off the flame. Remember, that it should be a little watery for added flavour. The texture should be almost gravy like

Serving Suggestion

Now on a plate or serving dish, crush up the flat chaat puris. Top with this hot peas and potato sauce. Sprinkle onions and tomatoes. Drizzle the whipped yogurt. Garnish with sev and cilantro and serve hot.

SERVES 2

Bhel Puri

This particular dish is an all-time favourite snack for my hubby and me especially on Friday evenings, with some hot masala chai (spiced tea) to follow. Its not only our favourite but is also very popular among gaadi-walas (street foods) in India. My version is of course - simple, quick and easy!

INGREDIENTS

5 cups Puffed Rice (Murmura)

1/2 Tomato - Chopped

1/2 Onion - Chopped

1" Cucumber - Diced

1 Sprig of Cilantro - Finely chopped

1 Green Chili - Finely chopped

4-5pcs Flat Chaat Puris - Crushed

1/2 cup - Fine Sev

1 cup - Spicy Mixture

3 tbsp Diluted Tamarind Paste

2 tsp Red Chilli Powder

And, of course, some salt to taste!!

METHOD

- In a large bowl add the salt, red chili powder, diluted tamarind paste and whisk

- Add the chopped onions, tomatoes, green chillies and cucumber

- Add the mixture and crushed chaat puris

- Add the puffed rice and cilantro and blend all this together

- Serve in a bowl and garnish with fine sev

SERVES 2