Kutchi Dabeli: A Spicy and Tangy Indian Street Food Delight

Recipe: Kutchi Dabeli

Ingredients:

• 4 large potatoes, boiled, peeled, and mashed
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, coarsely ground
• 2 tablespoons dabeli masala*
• 2 tablespoons tamarind chutney
• 2 tablespoons garlic chutney**
• Salt to taste
• 8 pav (Indian bread rolls) or burger buns
• Butter for toasting the buns
• Sev (thin gram flour noodles) for garnish
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
• Pomegranate seeds for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Let them splutter.
2. Add chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
3. Add mashed potatoes, ground peanuts, dabeli masala, tamarind chutney, garlic chutney, and salt to taste. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
4. Cook the potato mixture for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld together. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
5. Slice the pav or burger buns horizontally without cutting all the way through.
6. Toast the pav or burger buns on a griddle with a little butter until they are lightly golden and crispy.
7. Spread a generous amount of the prepared potato mixture inside each toasted pav or burger bun.
8. Garnish each dabeli with sev, chopped coriander leaves, and pomegranate seeds (if using).
9. Serve Kutchi Dabeli hot, accompanied by extra sev and chutneys on the side, if desired.

*Dabeli Masala:

• 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
• 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1/2 teaspoon dry ginger powder
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg powder
• Dry roast all the spices in a pan over low heat until fragrant. Let them cool, then grind into a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Store in an airtight container for future use.

**Garlic Chutney:

• 10-12 cloves garlic
• 2-3 dried red chilies (adjust according to spice preference)
• 1 tablespoon roasted peanuts
• 1 tablespoon desiccated coconut
• Salt to taste
• Water as needed
• Grind all the ingredients into a smooth paste using a blender or food processor. Adjust consistency with water as needed. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Enjoy the flavorful and spicy Kutchi Dabeli as a delightful snack or appetizer!