Chaat is the savory delicacy of India which will hit every taste buds of your tongue because it has all the flavors, which gives it a tangy taste. It is one of the most loved street foods all around India and neighboring countries. Historians say that chaat originated from Uttar Pradesh during the 17th century.
Every state in India has its unique chaat menu. But it is mostly dominated in the Northern parts of India.
There are too many varieties of chaats but these are some common elements that give its taste and texture.
Crispy base
Two bases that usually go into a basic chaat recipe is the papdi or khasta kachori, made up of refined flour dough. Papdi is the small round flat crisp while khasta kachoris are the crispy round shells in which other ingredients are filled to make it a chaat.
Soft and mushy base
Boiled chickpeas, Boiled Potatoes, Dried boiled peas are some bases used commonly in many chaat recipes. It gives a soft and mushy feeling while eating the chaat. Also, these are healthy food ingredients rich in protein.
Tangy sauces or chutneys
One of the main ingredients which give chaat the chatpata or savory taste is the chutneys that are added to it. Tamarind is used to make sour chutney. Mint and cilantro chutney gives a fresh flavor to the chaat. Finally, Sweet yogurt gives a creamy and sweet taste and texture to the chaat.
The dust of flavors ( masalas )
Black Salt, Dry red chili powder, roasted cumin powder, black pepper powder are the common masalas used in the chaat. Or the popular chaat masala which is also the blend of the above masalas but a few more ingredients are added to it.
Toppings
There are several toppings that are added to the chaat according to the type but there are some common toppings ingredients that are added to almost every type.
The crisp bhujia or sev, are small and thin crispy fried noodles that give the chaat some more crispiness. When the chaat becomes soggy due to being left for some time, sev/bhujia helps to add some crisp to it.
The second common ingredient is chopped onion, tomatoes, and coriander leaves. These are optional but give a good taste to them. Pomegranates are sprinkled over the top which gives a sweet crunch to the chaat.
Popular chaats of India
Aloo chaat
Aloo chaat is one of the popular chaats of Delhi and north India. In this chaat recipe, firstly diced potatoes are deep-fried and then chaat masala chili powder and chutneys are added to it. During winters, people love to enjoy this chaat more.
Papdi chaat
Papdi is the fried crisps made up of all purpose flour, and the literal meaning of chaat is to lick, also, a lip smacking food.
Papdi Chaat is one of the most popular street from northern India. Papdi chaat is made with papdi, boiled potatoes and chickpeas, water dipped fritters, Sev, Yogurt, Masalas and Various Chutneys.
Raj kachori
This chaat recipe hails from the state of Rajasthan. Raj kachori is also called the royal chaat recipe because of the pleasing look and taste. A big-sized crispy kachori is filled with boiled potatoes, chickpeas, green gram or moong dal, thick yogurt, chutneys, chaat masala. Finally, topped with some crushed papdi, boondi, Sev, and pomegranate.
Aloo Tikki chaat
Aloo tikkis are the crispy, crusty patties or cutlets made from mashed potatoes and then deep-fried, in which different chutneys, yogurt, and chaat masalas are added to make it even tastier. Aloo Tikki is made in different styles across India and neighboring countries. In the eastern part of India matar chole or white peas, gravy is added to this chaat. In the northern states, only chutneys and chaat masalas are added. But it is delicious in every style of preparation.
Dahi Puri
Dahi Puri is one of the popular chaats from Maharashtra. Dahi Puri is nothing but the fancy version of the popular Indian Street food Pani puri or golgappa but it is filled with boiled potatoes, different chutneys, masalas and finally topped with Sev.
Fruit chaat
Fruit chaat is one of the healthiest street food of in India and all chaat recipes. It is eaten in different parts of India with the addition of local and seasonal fruits. Mainly fruit chaat consists of fruits like banana, grapes, apples, pomegranate, etc. with some chaat masala on the top.
Chana chaat
Chana chaat is one of the popular chaat recipes which you can see easily in eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh. There are two versions of this chaat, one is the boiled version, in which chickpeas are boiled and then mixed with different masalas and chutneys. The other one is the sprouts, where soaked and sprouted chickpeas are used, which goes with chopped onions, tomatoes, masalas, and lemon juice.
Samosa Chaat
Samosa chaat is a popular Indian street food that is enjoyed by people of all ages. This dish is made from crispy fried samosas that are crushed and topped with various chutneys, spices, and yogurt. In this blog post, we will explore the history of samosa chaat, its ingredients, and how it is prepared.
History
Samosas have been around for centuries and are believed to have originated in the Middle East. The dish made its way to India and was quickly adopted by the locals as a popular snack. The chaat part of samosa chaat was added later, with the addition of chutneys and spices, to create a more filling and flavorful dish.
Ingredients
The main ingredient in samosa chaat is, of course, the samosa. These are typically triangular shaped pastries filled with a mixture of spices and either potatoes or meat. The chaat toppings usually consist of sweet chutney made from tamarind, mint, or coriander, a spicy chutney made from green chili peppers, and yogurt to cool the palate. Other toppings can include cilantro, sev (crunchy noodles), and masala spices.
Preparation
The preparation of samosa chaat is simple and straightforward. First, the samosas are fried until crispy. Then, they are crushed into small pieces and placed in a serving dish. The various chutneys and spices are then added on top, followed by the yogurt. The dish is then garnished with cilantro and sev and is ready to be enjoyed.
Conclusion
Samosa chaat is a delicious and satisfying dish that is enjoyed by people all over India. Its history and flavors make it a unique and tasty snack that is perfect for any time of day. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy snack or a full meal, samosa chaat is the perfect choice. So the next time you are in India, be sure to try this delicious street food!
Chicken chaat
Chicken chaat is one of the most unique and tastier versions of non-vegetarian chaat. In this unique chaat recipe, tandoori or roasted boneless chicken is used.Mostly, people use the leftover tandoori or fried chicken for this recipe. Chicken chaat can be made in two different styles. One recipe can be made with just adding some masalas and lemon juice to make the chicken more tangy and spicy. And the other version of the recipe can be made like the every chaat recipes with adding the chutneys, crisps and the chaat masalas in it.
Check out – Best non-veg street food in delhi
Daulat ki Chaat
Daulat ki chaat is one of the most rich and delicious desserts from Old Delhi. Chaat is the term used for this but this is not at all a chaat. We can call it a sweet dessert which is frothy and creamy and melts in your mouth instantly. This iconic chaat is made with milk as the main ingredients and only available during winters.
So, this is the brief intro of the bible of chaats. There are tons of stories which can be told about this famous delicacy of India because each chaat has its own unique story. Maybe we will discuss that in our next segment of street foods.
