PANI PURI (A TRADITIONAL INDIAN STREET FOOD)

Hey there! It’s been a while since I’ve shared an Indian recipe on the blog. This recipe is an Indian street food recipe. It’s one of the first Indian dishes I ever tried, years ago. I had a friend who’s mom was half Indian, half Armenian. She made the best food! Honestly, it’s the one thing I really miss about our friendship. Unfortunately, she didn’t share her recipes, so I had to figure it out on my own. As always: mission accomplished! I don’t make this dish often but it is hands down one of my favorite Indian dishes.

The dish is called Pani Puri. Pani means water and puri is the fried crispy hollow dough ball. It is one of the most popular street foods of India. It is known by different names in different parts of India, like in North India it is known as gol gappa, phucka in Eastern Indian and bataasha in the Western region. There are so many different versions, different stuffings and waters. But, what they all have in common is that it’s loved by everyone. I’m so excited to share my recipe of this amazing dish with a vessel that carries all that yummy filling and mouthwatering, spicy, and tangy flavored water right to your tummy.

Ingredients:

Filling

• 4 potatoes, diced into small cubes

• 2 (14oz) can chickpeas

• 1 tablespoon garam masala

• 1 teaspoon red pepper powder

• 1 teaspoon black salt

Water

• 1 Cup mint

• 1 Cup cilantro

• 1 jalapeno

• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper powder

• 2 tablespoons tamarind pulp

• 1 tablespoon black salt

• 1 tablespoon cumin

• 1 tablespoon garam masala

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 4 cups water, divided

• Puris (I don't have a recipe for you. I buy mine ready made from the Indian supermarket.)

Directions:

Filling

1. Boil diced potatoes and beans till fully cooked and very tender, about 30 minutes. Drain.

2. Add remaining ingredients, mix together, and set aside.

Water

1. Blend all the ingredients with only 1 cup of the water for about 2 minutes.

2. Place in serving jug, pitcher, other.

3. Add about 3 cups of water.

4. Refrigerate before serving or just add ice.

Assembly

1. Tap the Puri at the top center lightly to make a hole in it.

2. Add about 1 teaspoon of the filling into the puri.

3. Dip the filled puri into the chilled water.

4. Then, enjoy!