Katori Chaat!!!!!!!!!!!!

I spent hours, days, months drooling over pictures of katori chaats that I would search for on Google Image. I was never able to figure out how the katoris were make and how to make them at home. I completely adore and value everything that America has to give me and I take it with no regrets and no second thoughts, however sometimes I so miss India. Not just the country but those homey feelings, those socializing in "unplanned" gatherings, monsoon, and CHAATS..... :)

I am a big time chaat fan! I can have chaats for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Every now and then pani-puris are made at home, but I always miss those unhygienic features of pani-puri that you would find at Bhaiya's Stall. I know you might think I am crazy but this is what makes up the yummilicious taste of any chaats in India, at least.

Bhaiya's Pani-Puri Stall

Me STARING at Pani-Puri Stalls....

When I went to India last time (2 years ago), I had told my hubby AG to take to me to Mahendra's Pani Puri Stall every day so I can make up for it. Every time we go to India, my Mamujaan (Mother's brother) always invite us over for dinner, and he makes Pani-Puri at home. He is an amazing cook! He would make the entire pani-puri masala, green chutney, tamarind chutney, and everything else that goes with it at home. He would also order freshly make puris, in counts of 800 to 1,000 and would invite me and all of my cousins over. We would eat Pani-Puri all day long (literally). Oh Gosh! I am so drooling right now. Here are some snaps of me enjoying pani-puris in India.

I felt like I am in Heaven!!!

Oh.. that yummy plate of Goodness!!!

For those wondering - I do have big mouth :)

Yeh Dil Maange More!!!!

So it turns out that I am not the only one in the family.

My cute little niece in India is also a fan - I miss you Gudda!!!

With that being said, and shown, you all know how crazy I am for Pani-Puri. My love for Katori Chaat is just starting now, since this is something new and I haven't really tried it a lot in India (is in my wish list for my next trip to India) :). I found this recipe in one of the Tarla Dalal's recipe book and I tried it. I must say, I should have done this early enough!

Ingredients for Katori:

1. One and a half cup wheat flour.
2. One tablespoon red chili powder, one tblsp dhaniya powder, one tblsp ginger and garlic past.
3. 1/4 tblsp turmeric powder.
4. Half tblsp lemon juice.
5. Salt per taste.
6. Two tblsp vegetable oil.
7. Half a glass warm water for kneading.

Ingredients for Chaat:

1. One cup green vatanas (dried matars/green peas) - soaked overnight and boiled.
2. One medium potato - boiled.
3. 1/4 tblsp turmeric powder, half tblsp lemon juice, 2-3 green chilies, salt per taste.
4. Two tblsp oil.
5. 1/2 tblsp mustard seeds and cumin seeds.
6. 2 or 3 curry leaves.

Ingredients for Garnishing:

1. One medium red onions - chopped
2. One small tomato - chopped
3. A bunch of fresh cilantro - chopped
4. Thin save - store bought
5. Tamarind chutney - I used store bought chutney.
6. Green (Mint-Coriander) chutney - I used store bought chutney
7. Half a cup plain yogurt mixed with 2-3 tblsp of sugar.

Process to make Katoris:

1. Mix together wheat flour, red chili powder, dhaniya powder, salt, lemon juice, turmeric powder, ginger-garlic paste, and one and a half tblsp of oil.
2. Slowly add water and knead the flour into soft dough.
3. Sprinkle the remaining oil on the dough and knead well.
4. Divide the dough into mini balls - makes about 50.
5. Roll the dough out into small puris.
6. Perk the puris with fork and keep it aside.
7. Take the mini cupcakes baking tray - upside down and spray some oil on it.
8. Place each small puris on the tray - NOTE the tray is upside down, so that puris can hold a shape of katori.
9. Spray some oil and bake it for 10 to 15 minutes in a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
10. Let it cool and remove from each cupcake shells. The puris should be hard, so it should be a problem to remove them from the shells.

Process for Chaat:

1. In a bowl mix together, boiled vatanas, potato, turmeric powder, green chilies, salt and lemon juice.  
2. Heat oil in a small pan, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and curry leaves.
3. Let it splutter.
4. Spread the hot oil over the chaat mixture.
5. Mix well and let it cool.

Process for assembling Katori Chaat:

1. Place katoris on a serving tray.
2. Add in a spoonful of chaat mixture.
3. Garnish it with onions, tomatoes, coriander, sweet yogurt, tamarind chutney, green chutney, and thin save.
4. Serve with a BIG smile!!!!

ENJOY!!!

Reposted this recipe at http://desizayeka.blogspot.com/2012/07/ramadan-collections.html
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