Are you craving a delicious, healthy, and incredibly easy snack or light meal? Look no further than this vibrant Black Chana Chaat! This Indian street food classic is bursting with flavor, texture, and a delightful mix of sweet, spicy, and tangy notes. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, a satisfying lunch, or a fun party appetizer. Get ready to experience a taste explosion with this simple yet incredibly rewarding recipe. This is one of those easy recipes that's both healthy and delicious – perfect for homemade cooking!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup black chickpeas (kala chana), cooked (canned is fine!)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/2 cup finely chopped tomatoes
- 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons tamarind chutney (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon date chutney (store-bought or homemade – see variation below)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon chaat masala
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon pomegranate seeds (optional, for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon sev (crispy chickpea flour noodles), for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Prep the chickpeas: If using dried black chickpeas, ensure they are thoroughly cooked. Canned chickpeas work perfectly well, simply drain and rinse them.
- Combine ingredients: In a medium bowl, gently combine the cooked black chickpeas, chopped onions, tomatoes, and cilantro.
- Add the chutneys and spices: Stir in the tamarind chutney, date chutney, lemon juice, chaat masala, red chili powder, cumin powder, and salt. Mix everything well to coat the chickpeas evenly.
- Taste and adjust: Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want to add more chili powder for extra heat or lemon juice for more tanginess.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with pomegranate seeds and sev (if using). Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful explosion of flavors and textures! This is a perfect quick dinner idea.
Tips for the Best Black Chana Chaat:
- Don't overcook the chickpeas: Overcooked chickpeas can become mushy. Aim for tender but still slightly firm chickpeas.
- Use fresh ingredients: Freshly chopped cilantro, onions, and tomatoes add to the overall freshness and flavor of the chaat.
- Adjust the spice level: Feel free to adjust the amount of red chili powder to your preferred spice level.
- Make it your own: Experiment with other additions, such as chopped cucumbers, green chilies, or roasted peanuts.
Delicious Variations:
- Spicy Black Chana Chaat: Add a pinch of asafoetida (hing) for a deeper, more pungent flavor and increase the red chili powder for extra heat.
- Sweet and Tangy Black Chana Chaat: Increase the amount of date chutney and reduce the chili powder for a sweeter and less spicy version.
- Homemade Date Chutney: To make your own date chutney, simply blend pitted dates with a little water until smooth.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 200-250
- Protein: Around 10-12 grams
- Fiber: Around 8-10 grams
This Black Chana Chaat recipe is a fantastic example of delicious and healthy food recipes you can easily make at home. Enjoy this simple yet flavorful dish – a true testament to the wonders of quick dinner ideas and homemade cooking. It’s a recipe that's sure to become a family favorite. This is one of the best recipes for a quick and satisfying meal.