Bhelpuri is a popular Indian street food snack from Mumbai’s beaches, made with puffed rice, vegetables, and tamarind sauce. It consists of puffed rice, chopped onions, tomatoes, boiled potatoes, green chilies, cilantro, roasted peanuts, sev, and spices like chaat masala, cumin powder, and red chili powder. The dish is tossed with tamarind chutney or sauce for a tangy and spicy taste. Bhelpuri is served in paper cones or leaf bowls, making it convenient for people of all ages to enjoy while walking through India’s bustling streets.
Here’s a basic recipe to make Bhel Puri at home:
Ingredients:
– 2 cups puffed rice (murmura)
– 1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
– 1 medium-sized tomato, finely chopped
– 1 medium-sized boiled potato, peeled and chopped
– 1/2 cup boiled chickpeas (optional)
– 1/4 cup finely chopped coriander leaves
– 2-3 green chilies, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
– 1/4 cup roasted peanuts
– 1/4 cup sev (crunchy chickpea noodles)
– 2-3 tablespoons tamarind chutney
– 2-3 tablespoons green chutney (made from mint and coriander)
– 1 tablespoon chaat masala
– 1 teaspoon roasted cumin powder
– Salt to taste
– Fresh lemon juice (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare Chutneys:
Make tamarind chutney and green chutney if not already prepared. Tamarind chutney is made from tamarind pulp, jaggery, and spices, while green chutney is made from mint leaves, coriander leaves, green chilies, and spices.
2. Prepare Ingredients:
Boil potatoes and chickpeas if not already boiled. Potatoes should be peeled and cut into tiny pieces. Finely chop onion, tomato, green chilies, and coriander leaves. Keep all the ingredients ready.
3. Mixing:
In a large mixing bowl, add the puffed rice. Add chopped onions, tomatoes, boiled potatoes, boiled chickpeas (if using), green chilies, and coriander leaves.
4. Add Spices:
Sprinkle chaat masala, roasted cumin powder, and salt over the mixture. Toss well to combine.
5. Add Chutneys:
Drizzle tamarind chutney and green chutney over the mixture according to your taste preferences. Start with a little and adjust according to your liking. mix gently. Until everything is coated evenly.
6. Final Touches:
Add roasted peanuts and sev to the mixture. Give it a final toss.
7. Serve:
Transfer the Bhel Puri to serving bowls or plates. Optionally, squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the top for extra tanginess.
8. Garnish:
Garnish with additional chopped coriander leaves, if desired.
Enjoy Bhel Puri is best enjoyed immediately after preparation while it’s still crunchy.
Serve it as a snack or appetizer at parties or enjoy it as a light meal on its own.
You have the option to change the ingredients to suit your tastes. Bhel Puri is a versatile dish, so you can customize it based on what you have available and your personal preferences for spice and flavor.