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Saturday, November 21, 2009

"Chatpata Chaat"- Kutchi Dabeli


Out of the many street foods famous in Pune,India....this Gujrati (from Kutch) tangy-spicy snack is becoming popular over time. The 'Kutchi Dabeli' stall near my house in Pune is especially dear to me,because it was 'M's and my favorite spot to hang out in the evening during our college days.There was this whole road with various stalls of - Dabeli,Pani Poori, Bhel poori,Ragada Pattice,Dosas, Chinese food etc etc( I know your mouth is already watering hearing all those names!!)...many youngsters would be hanging out there during evening time.I think my friend 'A' is nostalgic about this too and hence was asking me for the recipe.This one is for you 'A'.....hope you enjoy it!
Kutchi Dabeli is almost like a burger but without a 'formed' patty. The filling is made up of  mashed potato spiced with 'Dabeli masala', and nuts and dried fruits are added to give a sweet-sour taste which makes your mouth water. The filling is usually topped with onions, Pomogranate seeds,roasted peanuts, cilantro, thin sev etc.But let me tell you..the 'Dabeli walas' are pretty smart...they have modified their recipe as per 'todays' taste.They have started making 'Cheese Dabelis' as well!!!! They put a ton of cheese over the potato filling ....no wonder it tastes good!
The Dabeli bread/bun is little different than the usual 'Hamburger' bun which we get here.The Dabeli bun is 'crustier' and when warmed on the 'Tava'...you can almost get a crunchy top. The 'Kaiser' Rolls that we get here in USA come very close to the 'Dabeli bun'. The bun is smeared with a Tangy and sweet 'Tamarind-Jaggery chutney' before the filling is added to the bread.
This spicy-tangy creation just tastes D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S and out of this world!

Ingredients:
4 Kaiser Rolls
1 onion chopped
1tbsp chopped cilantro
1tbsp Pomogranate seeds
1tbsp roasted peanuts
1tbsp Thin sev
1tbsp Tuti Frooti/ Chopped marciano cherries
Oil/butter

For the filling:
2 Potatoes boiled and mashed well
2tsp 'Siddhi' Dabeli masala or else make your own (http://www.tarladalal.com/recipe.asp?id=2812).The 'Bombay Magic Dabeli' masala is pretty good too.
The 'Siddhi Dabeli masala' is my favorite.It makes authentic Dabelis.It has fennel, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, dried mango and whole bunch of other stuff. It is De......licious!
1tbsp Raisins
1tbsp Cashews
chili powder(only if masala doesn't have it)
salt
oil
Heat 1tbsp oil,add the Dabeli masala,mashed potatoes, nuts,rainins.Fry for 3-4 mins untill well mixed. Keep aside.

For the Tamarind-Jaggery Chutney:
1 tbsp Tamarind extract
1/4 cup grated jaggery (more if needed)
1/2tsp Chat masala
1/2tsp Cumin-corainder powder
1/4tsp chili powder
1/4tsp garlic paste
salt
Mix everything together and add enough water to make thin chutney(almost watery).The Chutney is tangy-sweet and spicy..all at the same time. Your mouth will immediately water at the smell of this chutney!

Assembly of the Dabeli:
1) Cut the Kaiser roll into half horizontally.
2) Apply the tamarind chutney on both the inner sides.
3) Add 2 spoonfull of potato filling,top it with peanuts, onions, pomogranate, Tooti-Frooti, Thin sev,Cilantro etc.Press the Dabeli shut
4) On a medium -low flame heat a flat pan/tava. Add a small amount of butter and place the Dabeli on the tava. Roast the bun till golden brown and crunchy on both sides.Press the bun a little while roasting to help get a crunchy texture.
5) Serve warm.
Bite into the crunchy bread with spicy-tangy-sweet filling.....and experience jumping of your taste buds with joy!!!



Note:
 I am sending this recipe as entry for the Regional Cuisine of India (RCI-Mumbai) event by 'Kitchenchronicles' and Lakshmi Krishnans blog-Veggie Cuisine



1 comment:

  1. This looks so good. It has made me nostalgic! Will make it soon....Thanks so much for posting it!

    ReplyDelete