Pani Puri - Gol Gappa

Pani Puri with Potatoes, Mung Beans, Chickpeas and Date Sauce

I grew up in India. The thing I miss most are the tasty bites of food from the street vendors which are famously called "chaat."  Here, I've had the chance to eat seven course meals many times. I've been to fancy Italian Restaurants and have savored the food of many different ethnicities.  But still today my taste for chaat remains the same. I have inherited this from my mother and I think I will pass it on to my daughter, too.

At the top of the list is Pani Puri or famously known as Gol Goppa.  It is medley of sweet tastes with little sour touch with spices which tantalize the taste buds.  Chaat is pushcart food which is very likely originated in Northern India.

Cooking Preparation Time: 45 Minutes
Cooking Level: Easy   
Recipe Type: Vegan
Serves: 6            

Ingredients:

2    Medium Potatoes, boiled and smashed Red Chickpeas, soaked and boiled with salt 1    Cup Sprouted Mung Beans 2    Tsp Fresh Ginger Paste 2    Tsp Fresh Green Chili Paste 2    Cups Fresh Mint Leaves, washed and plucked Fresh Cilantro Salt to Taste Pepper to Taste 1    Tsp Black Salt or Kala Namak 2    TBsp Sugar 2    TBsp Fresh Lemon Juice Tamarind & Date Sauce (Recipe on Blog) Roast & Grind in Coffee Mill: 2    Tsp Cumin Seeds 2    Cloves 2    Cinnamon Sticks 2    Tsp Fennel Seeds, roasted

How to Prepare:

1. Boil two potatoes and mash them.
2. Season with salt, pepper, red chili and cilantro. Set aside.
3. One cup of mung bean sprouts that has been boiled with salt.
4. One cup red chickpeas boiled with salt. (optional)
5. Pani means "water with spices" which is the main taste. To make pani for pani puri: blend fresh mint with green chili, ginger paste, sugar, lemon juice, black salt, 2 tsp of grounded powder of cumin seeds and regular table salt.  Set aside. Refrigerate for couple of hours.
6. Microwave puris for 30-40 seconds.
7. Crack open puris and fill with mung beans, potatoes and red chickpeas.
8. Dip stuffed puris into water and eat it right away otherwise it will get soggy.
9. Yum! Delicious!

Pani Puri or Gol Gappa

Chaat is a Hindi word for delicacy or possibly pakrit for devouring with relish whatever it is it is always fun to eat with friends.