Spicy, crunchy, sweet and tasty snack that fits as a quick meal any time of the day – Bhel Puri is one of the most fun and fresh dishes I’ve encountered. Bhel Puri is a type of Chaat and is based on fried puffed rice with vegetables, tamarind chutney and Sev (small fried noodles made of gram flour). Bhel puri is a street food and therefore has lots of versions. In this post I’ll present the version I love best which also include cilantro and mint chutney, yogurt and other surprises.
Ingredients (for 1 serving)
- 1 cup Bhel mix (details below)
- 4 tbsp Tamarind chutney (recipe here)
- 4 tbsp Cilantro and mint chutney (recipe here)
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 1 small potato
- 1 small tomato, diced
- 1/2 small onion, diced
- pinch of roasted cumin powder
- pinch of red chilli powder (or hot paprika)
- 2 tbs Sev (details below)
- cilantro leaves for garnish
Directions
First cook the potato – I put the potato in a covered bowl with a little water for 5-6 minutes in the microwave but any cooking method fits here. Cut the cooked potato into small cubes (I like to keep the skin).
Assembly order:
–> Bhel mix
–> Tomato + Onion + Potato
–> Yogurt
–> Tamarind chutney + Cilantro & mint chutney
–> Red chilli powder + Roasted cumin powder
–> Cilantro leaves
–> Sev
Assembling the dish – put the Bhel mix in a bowl. Top with the diced tomato, onion and potato cubes. Pour the yogurt on top so it will cover most of the Bhel and vegetables. If the yogurt is too thick add some water and mix until it becomes of pouring consistency. Gently put both chutneys on top of the yogurt – I like to place them in horizontal and vertical lines, about 3 or 4 lines of tamarind chutney and about 3 or 4 lines of cilantro and mint chutney. Sprinkle red chilli powder and roasted cumin powder. Garnish with cilantro leaves and top with the Sev. Serve immediately in order to keep it crunchy as possible.
Comments and suggestions
Quantities. The above quantities are just a recommendation. I’m sure that after preparing this dish few times you’ll find your own ratio of Bhel, vegetables, chutneys, yogurt and Sev. I like my Bhel Puri with lots of yogurt and tamarind chutney and just a small amount of onion.
Bhel mix usually consists of fried puffed rice, peanuts and other types of fried items. It is possible to get it in Indian grocery stores. I tried few types and I like the “Bhel Mix” brand by “Cheddas” the best. Note that Indian grocery stores usually have also a prepared Bhel Puri you can buy which includes the Bhel mix along with the chutneys, but obviously the fresh chutneys you’ll make yourselves are so much better!
Roasted cumin powder. For some reason I can’t find roasted cumin powder in my local Indian grocery stores so I prepare it myself – buy whole cumin seeds, toast in a hot skillet it changes its color (beware not to burn it!) and then grind in a spices grinder. This powder has a deep and special flavor that you wouldn’t want to miss.
Sev is kind of an Indian snack which is actually small fried noodles made of gram flour. It is possible to get it in Indian grocery stores.
Yogurt. You can use any kind of yogurt in this recipes but it is better to use one with higher fat. The common yogurt in India is made from buffalo milk or cow milk, but I tried to make Bhel Puri also with sheep or goat yogurt and it also turns out great.
