Craving a quick, healthy, and flavorful snack that embodies the vibrant spirit of Indian street food? Look no further than this delightful Boiled Green Peas Chaat! This simple yet satisfying dish transforms humble boiled green peas into a burst of tangy, spicy, and savory goodness, perfect for a light meal or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. With minimal cooking involved, this recipe is incredibly easy to make and allows for plenty of customization to suit your taste preferences. Get ready to experience the refreshing and exciting flavors of this classic Indian chaat!
Boiled Green Peas Chaat Recipe
Yields: 2-3 servings Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 15-20 minutes (if starting with raw peas)
Ingredients:
For the Base:
- 1 cup fresh or frozen green peas
- Water
- Salt to taste
For the Chaat:
- 1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 medium tomato, finely chopped
- 1-2 green chilies, finely chopped (adjust to your spice preference)
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh coriander leaves
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or tamarind pulp (imli) extract
- 1/2 teaspoon chaat masala
- 1/4 teaspoon roasted cumin powder (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili powder (optional, for extra spice)
- Black salt (kala namak) to taste (optional, but recommended for a distinct flavor)
- Sweet chutney (imli chutney) (optional)
- Green chutney (mint-coriander chutney) (optional)
- Sev (thin gram flour noodles) for garnish (optional)
- Crushed papdi (crispy fried flatbread) for garnish (optional)
Instructions for cooking Boiled Green Peas:
1. Boil the Green Peas:
- If using fresh peas: Shell the peas. Rinse them thoroughly.
- If using frozen peas: No need to thaw.
- In a saucepan, add the green peas and enough water to cover them.
- Add a pinch of salt.
- Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the peas are tender but not mushy. This usually takes about 10-15 minutes for fresh peas and slightly less for frozen peas.
- Drain the peas well and let them cool slightly.
2. Prepare the Chaat:
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the boiled green peas, chopped red onion, chopped tomato, and chopped green chilies.
- Add the chopped coriander leaves.
- Squeeze in the lemon juice or add the tamarind pulp extract.
- Sprinkle in the chaat masala, roasted cumin powder (if using), red chili powder (if using), and black salt (if using).
- Mix all the ingredients together gently until everything is well combined. Taste and adjust the seasonings according to your preference. You might want to add more salt, chaat masala, or lemon juice.
3. Assemble and Serve:
- Divide the green peas chaat into serving bowls.
- If you like, drizzle some sweet chutney and green chutney over the chaat.
- Garnish generously with sev and/or crushed papdi for added crunch.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the burst of flavors!
Tips and Variations:
- Make it healthier: Skip the sev and papdi or use them sparingly.
- Add more vegetables: You can also add finely chopped cucumber, boiled and diced potatoes, or sprouts to your chaat.
- Spice it up: Increase the amount of green chilies or red chili powder.
- For a different flavor: Try adding a pinch of amchur powder (dry mango powder) for extra tanginess.
- Make it ahead: You can boil the peas ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. Assemble the chaat just before serving to prevent it from getting soggy.
- Customize your toppings: Feel free to add other toppings you enjoy, like pomegranate seeds or a sprinkle of roasted peanuts.