Bhele Poori

The word Chat, in Hindi,  translates to “licking one’s fingers while eating”. Playing a big role in Indian cuisine, when going to an authentic Indian restaurant starting your meal without chat is a crime. Although chat is considered fast food it has numerous ingredients that make it moreish and keeps people coming back for more. 

Chat makes me nostalgic because it brings back the times when the entire family is huddled around the kitchen counter saying “pass the chutney” or “here here try this combination”. I also remember my brother, only 3 at the time, would clutch on the countertop hoping to get a glance of the food because the rest of us were too preoccupied to pay attention to the little ones.

Most chat items are based on fired dough, containing gluten, but Bhele Pooris’ highlight is the puffed rice. This mix combined homemade red and green chutney is a satisfying snack is the evenings.

Any Bhele Poori mix.

Red Chutney

4 dates

¼ cup goji berries

½ cup tamarind water

½ water

½ red chili 

1 tsp black salt

Green Chutney

One bunch cilantro

Half bunch fresh mint leaves

2 green chilies

Juice of ½ lemon

1 tsp black salt

¼ cup roasted gram dhal

Garnish

1 Chopped tomato

1 finely chopped onion

1 boiled potato cut into small pieces

This dish is a simple mix and eat. Add the desired amount of each chutney to your Bhele Poori mix and garnish with a onions potatoes, and tomatoes.