The aroma of sizzling tikkis and the tangy punch of chaat often call out during tea time. But you don't need to step out to satisfy those cravings. Bring the vibrant flavours of Indian street food to your kitchen with these simple ideas.
Classic Bhel Puri
Bhel Puri is the
quintessential Mumbai street snack that requires no cooking, making it the perfect quick fix. It's a delightful mix of textures and flavours—crispy, soft, tangy, sweet, and spicy all in one bowl. The key is to use fresh ingredients and mix it just before serving to prevent the puffed rice from getting soggy. For a basic version, all you need is puffed rice (murmura), finely chopped onion and tomato, and a boiled potato. The magic, however, lies in the chutneys. A sweet tamarind chutney and a spicy green coriander-mint chutney are essential. Simply toss everything together in a large bowl, add a generous squeeze of lemon, a sprinkle of chaat masala, and top with crunchy sev. You can also add roasted peanuts or crushed papdis for extra crunch.
Quick Corn Chaat
Another incredibly easy and relatively healthy option is Corn Chaat. This versatile snack can be made with fresh, frozen, or canned corn kernels. If you're using fresh corn on the cob, simply boil or steam the kernels until tender. Once the corn is ready, the rest is just assembly. In a bowl, combine the corn with finely chopped onions, tomatoes, and green chillies for a bit of heat. Season it with salt, a pinch of red chilli powder, and a generous amount of chaat masala for that signature tangy flavour. A squeeze of lemon juice brightens up all the flavours. For a richer taste, you can sauté the corn in a teaspoon of butter before adding the other ingredients. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve immediately.
Simple Aloo Tikki Chaat
While traditional Aloo Tikki can seem intimidating, a simplified version is well within reach for an evening snack. The trick is to use pre-boiled potatoes. Mash them thoroughly and mix with some binding agents like rice flour or cornstarch, along with basic spices like cumin powder, chaat masala, and salt. Shape the mixture into small patties. Instead of deep-frying, you can shallow-fry the tikkis in a pan with a little oil until they are golden brown and crisp on both sides. To turn this into a chaat, place a couple of hot tikkis on a plate, top with whisked yogurt, a drizzle of sweet tamarind and green chutney, and a sprinkle of chopped onions and sev.
Speedy Bread Upma
Bread Upma is a fantastic way to use up leftover bread and create a filling snack in under 20 minutes. Start by chopping bread slices into small, bite-sized cubes. Heat a little oil in a pan and temper with mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Sauté finely chopped onions until they become translucent, then add ginger, green chillies, and tomatoes. Add spices like turmeric and a pinch of red chilli powder. Cook until the tomatoes soften. Finally, add the bread cubes to the pan and toss everything together until the bread is well-coated with the masala. Sauté for a few minutes until the edges of the bread become slightly crispy. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and a squeeze of lemon juice before serving hot.
