Black Chana Chaat

Little S was not like this. Infact he was completely opposite of what he is now. Till the age of 6 he ate only healthy food. My mom-in-law was not very happy about this habit of palate for different types of food, so that he doesn’t have difficulty with food when he grows up and leaves home. She tried to feed him on bits of samosa, and was aghast that he just refused after the first bite ! My boss said children not liking potato chips have some serious problem, I should consult a doctor !

I did not need to. He soon started behaving normal, much to the relief of everyone, and today he is the king of junk food….and in the process of being so, has made me the queen of home made junk food. Sneaking in bits and pieces of good health in his favorite snacks…..

Black chana chaat:

The day  after the day I make pani puri’s  is usually fixed for a chaat – be it aaloo, or moong or chana. To use up the broken pani puri crumbs left in the packet, after enjoying pani puris the previous day.  

You will need:

Black chana: 1/2 cupful(soaked overnight and boiled)

Onion: 1 medium, chopped

Ginger: julienned, 1 small tsp.

Tomato: 1 chopped

Green chillies : 1 chopped( for adults, I would recommend 2)

Oil: 1 tsp (optional)

Jeera: 1 pinch (optional)

Rock salt/ table salt/ masala namak: according to taste

Chaat Masala: ½ tsp(optional)

Amchur powder/ lemon juice

Coriander leaves

pani puri crumbs

How to:

1. Heat oil in a wok.
2. Throw in the cumin seeds
3. And the boiled chana. Toss for 2 mins, on high heat and remove.
4. Garnish the chana with copped onion, tomatoes, green chillies, amchur pdr, Coriander leaves and finally the pani puri crumbs.
5. Squeeze the juice of ½ a lemon. Serve.

You can omit the 1^st 3 steps, and start directly from 4^th, if you want to avoid oil. Trust me it tastes great too !  It’s very healthy, low in calories, and yummy.