Chana Chaat
Chana chaat belongs to the broader chaat family, the salty-tart-spicy snacks omnipresent on the streets of Pakistan and the Indian subcontinent, sold from mobile stalls in any busy city. The name «chaat» comes from a Hindi word meaning «to lick», a playful reference to how the intense flavors make people lick their fingers. Unlike many fried chaats, chana chaat remains a healthier option, built on boiled legumes, often eaten as an afternoon snack or even a light evening meal during the fasting month of Ramadan, when the body needs easily digestible protein after a day of fasting. Street vendors often keep their own amchoor and chaat masala blend as a closely guarded business secret.
Boiled chickpeas, fully cooled
Chickpeas boil until tender, then cool completely before being mixed with the other ingredients.
Dried mango powder for tartness
Amchoor, dried green mango powder, brings a distinct fruity tartness, different from ordinary lemon juice.
Thinly sliced red onion, soaked
Thinly sliced red onion soaks in cold water for a few minutes to mellow its bite before mixing.
Boiled potatoes, cubed
Small cubes of boiled potato add extra substance and soft texture, contrasting with the vegetables' crunch.
Ingredients 4 servings
- 2 cups boiled chickpeas
- 1 medium potato, boiled and cubed
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 1 tsp amchoor (mango powder)
- 1 tsp roasted ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp chaat masala
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lemon juice
How to make it
- 1Boil the chickpeas in salted water for thirty minutes, until tender, then drain and let them cool completely.
- 2Boil the whole potato separately in water until cooked through, then peel it and cut into small cubes.
- 3Place the thinly sliced onion in cold water for five minutes, then drain it well.
- 4Mix the cooled chickpeas, potato, soaked onion and chopped tomato in a large bowl.
- 5Sprinkle the amchoor, roasted ground cumin and chaat masala over the mixture.
- 6Gently toss everything with a large spoon, being careful not to crush the potato.
- 7Splash with fresh lemon juice and sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro right before serving.
Nutritional info
per serving (~350 g)
Estimated nutritional values.
Pairs perfectly with
