Introduction: Chai & Crunch
Wintertime calls for comfort, and what offers more comfort than a steaming cup of chai? Chef Sanjeev Kapoor understands this perfectly, offering a selection
of recipes designed to complement the warmth and spice of your tea. The essence of these recipes is simplicity, making them ideal for anyone wanting to elevate their tea-time rituals. These snacks provide the perfect balance of flavors and textures to complete the experience. They’re meant to be enjoyed alongside a warm beverage during the cold weather.
Aloo Tikki Delight
First on the list is Aloo Tikki. These crispy potato patties are a classic Indian snack, known for their delightful crunch and savory taste. The recipe involves boiling potatoes, mashing them, and mixing them with spices like cumin, coriander, and chili powder. These seasoned potatoes are then formed into patties and shallow-fried until golden brown and crispy. Aloo Tikki’s simplicity and flavor make it a beloved snack across India, and it's perfect to enjoy with chai because of its comforting taste. The crispy texture combined with the warm, spiced potatoes is a match made in heaven for tea time.
Vegetable Cutlets
Next, the spotlight shines on Vegetable Cutlets. These cutlets offer a colorful and nutritious addition to your tea-time spread. These are typically made with a mix of boiled vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, beans, and peas, mashed together and seasoned with herbs and spices. The mixture is shaped into cutlets and coated in breadcrumbs for a crispy exterior before shallow-frying until golden. The blend of various vegetables provides a range of flavors and textures. The crispy outside and soft inside offer a satisfying bite, making it a great accompaniment to a warm cup of chai. The variety of the vegetables makes it a more interesting and healthy choice.
Moong Dal Pakodas
Moong Dal Pakodas are a classic Indian snack, popular for their simplicity and taste. Made from a batter of soaked and ground moong dal (split green gram), these pakodas are seasoned with spices like ginger, green chilies, and coriander. The batter is deep-fried until golden and crispy. These are perfect to enjoy with chai on a cold day. The crispy texture outside and soft inside make these a comforting treat. The spices in the pakodas enhance the warmth of the tea, making it a perfect combo during tea time.
Samosa Bites
Samosa Bites, the bite-sized version of the popular samosa, are next. These are a great way to enjoy the flavors of samosas without the effort of making large ones. They feature a crispy, flaky pastry shell filled with a spiced potato and pea mixture. The small size makes them ideal for snacking alongside your tea. The combination of the crispy outer shell and the flavorful filling, makes them an excellent complement to your cup of chai. They offer a burst of flavor in every bite, adding a lot of variety to your tea-time session.
Namak Para
Finally, the recipe list concludes with Namak Para. These are a savory, crunchy snack, perfect for those who like a bit of saltiness with their tea. The dough is made from all-purpose flour, seasoned with carom seeds (ajwain), and salt, then deep-fried until golden and crispy. This snack is perfect for those who like a light, crunchy snack. The subtle flavor and crunchy texture make it an excellent accompaniment to a warm cup of chai. It offers a satisfying crunch and a salty flavor that complements the tea perfectly, making it an excellent end to this list.
