Masala Puri- Karnataka style

I call Masala puri as the king of all chaats. It’s my favorite chaat, reminds me of the street side vendors who used to make extremely good masala puri. After moving to US, I missed the tangy and sweet masala puri and started making my own and it turned out awfully good. It’s now a must in our family gatherings. Masala gravy can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator, making it an easy potluck recipe.

PREPARATION TIME: 15 Minutes

COOKING TIME: 40 Minutes

SERVES: 8

INGREDIENTS:

FOR PRESSURE COOKING

2 cups green peas (I have used frozen)
1 large potato roughly chopped
-1 carrot toughly chopped
2 cups water
Salt to taste
½ tspn. turmeric

FOR MASALA PASTE

2 tbspn. oil
1 small onion roughly chopped
1 large tomato roughly chopped
2 green chillies
2 cloves garlic
1-inch ginger chopped

OTHER INGREDIENTS:

2 cups water or as required
1 tspn. red/kashmiri chilli powder
½ tspn. turmeric powder
1 tbspn. pav bhaji masala
¾ tspn. aamchur powder
½ tspn. garam masala
½ tbspn. fennel powder
½ tbspn. jaggery powder
Salt to taste

FOR SERVING:

8-10 flat puris/Papdi
1tbspn. tamarind chutney
2 tbspn. finely chopped onions
2 tbspn. finely chopped tomatoes
1 tspn. finely chopped coriander
Pinch of red chilli/kashmiri red chilli powder (Optional)
Pinch of chaat masala (Optional)
1 fistful of thin sev

METHOD:

Firstly, pressure cook peas, potato, carrot for 3 whistles along with water, salt and turmeric. Allow it to cool down. Mash the vegetables with a masher and set it aside.

Then, prepare the masala paste by heating oil in a pan. Saute onions, garlic, ginger, chillies and tomatoes for 3-4 minutes. Let it cool down.

Blend to a smooth paste and pour it to the mashed vegetables.

Now add water and all spices listed above and mix well. Cover with a lid and let it cook for 20 minutes in medium flame.

To plate the masala puri, crush the puris/ papdis
pour a ladle of the prepared masala gravy over the puris.
Now add the sweet tamarind chutney, top it with finely chopped onions and tomatoes.
Also sprinkle chaat masala and chili powder.
Finally, serve masala puri chaat garnished with sev and chopped coriander.