Taco Chaat

      Lip smacking Taco Chaat recipe today.  Quintessential Indian Street food, the 'Chaat'- gets a morden makeover in this Taco Chaat recipe. A fashionable and Chatpati Chaat for typical NRI's.:) -- By the look of it, I'm pretty sure you'd agree it deserves making to the next party table..

 So, here is my entry for our #foodiemonday #bloghop..Of course today's challenge is #chaat..

Ingredients:
6-8 Taco Shells
2 Boiled and chopped med. Potatoes
1/2 cup Chopped Onions
1/3 cup Chopped Tomatoes
1-2 tbls Sweet corn
1 tbls Chopped green grapes
1 tbls Pomegranate seeds
2 tbls Chopped Cilantro
Chopped green Chilli  to taste
Chaat masala to taste
Red chilli powder to taste
1/2 cup Sev
1/3 cup Spicy Boondi
1/2 cup crushed Cheetos
1/2 cup Sweet yogurt
1/3 cup Sweet Tamarind Chutney
1/3 cup Spicy Cilantro(coriander) Chutney
2-3 tbls Spicy Garlic-Red chilli Chutney
Method:
* In a large mixing bowl take the chopped potatoes, onion, tomatoes, pomegranate seeds, chopped green grapes, chopped cilantro, green chilies and sweetcorn.

* Toss them and dress with some chaat masala and red chilli powder.
* Add all three Chutneys according to your taste in the mixture and mix them well.
* Add sev, spicy boondi and crushed Cheetos in mixture and toss them again.
* Adjust spicies and chutneys according to your taste.
* To assemble, scoop the mixture filling into each taco shell, then add about 1 tbsp curd on top.
* Follow up with little drops of green chutney, garlic chutnney and  tamrind sauce (Imli chutney),according to your taste.
 * Sprinkle some chopped cilantro and crushed Cheetos, sev and boondi.
* Sprinkle some chaat masala and red chilli powder.

*Serve them immediately.

Notes:
-Do not make this in advance and keep it, for it will go soggy.

-Adjust spices to your taste.

 You may want to check some other varieties of Chaat::

                                                      

Pop-corn Bhel

          

Cereal-Oats Bhel

                                                       

Chinese Bhel

                                                      

Thai Noodles Sizzler Chaat

                                                       

Spinach-Kale Pakoda Chaat

Happy cooking until next time......
 

Cereals-Oats Bhel

     
                Tease your taste buds with this chatpata, tangy, tuneful and an absolute flavorful  fusion dish. "Cereals-Oats Bhel"!!!

          "Bhel" is one of those words that instantly evokes childhood and adolescence for many of us. Growing up, we didn't have a huge amount of entertainment that kids today have. An outing basically involved us heading to beach with whole family and a sizable chunk of neighborhood in tow. After too much fun, as a special treat, we would be treated to "Bhel" from nearby vendor's cart. We would look on, awestruck, as the vendor quickly chucked puffed rice, papdi, sev into a big open pan. He would then toss in a handful of diced onions, some spicy chickpeas and some cilantro into the mix. Then splatter on some chutneys, whisk it all together and ladle it into newspaper cones, then pass it on to our eager hands... Hummmm, yummy!!!!

    
     And oh!!! The explosion of flavors and textures that greeted our first bite. But time is being changed. But still I am pretty sure almost everyone would love to eat "Bhel".  And for that reason today I am going to share an awesome variation of "Bhel". It's "Cereal-Oats Bhel"... This Bhel made with medley of breakfast cereals. So this is healthy version of Bhel too. Of course it is again a fusion recipe and weekend-special because it's rapid recipe with lots of sweet, salty, spicy, tangy, crispy, chewy, soft.....tastes. Nothing became close to savouring "Bhel" as kids or as teenager or as grown up or as oldies:)
Ingredients:

2 cups Cereal-Oats Chivda

2 tbls Cilantro green chutney
2 tbls dates-Tamarind sweet chutney
1 tbls Garlic and red chili chutney(optional)
3/4 cup Mix of chopped onions, pomegranates, chopped tomatoes, chopped cilantro and boiled and chopped potatoes.
Chaat masala to sprinkle on Bhel
Method:
* Take a big mixing bowl.

* Add mix of chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantro, potatoes and pomegranates.

* Add all three chutneys according to your taste.

 

* Toss all together very well.
* Sprinkle some chaat masala on it.

* Serve it immediately and enjoy the fabulous version of Bhel.
Note:
* You may use just combinations of any cereals with out making chivda.(direct from box)
* Always add or subtract any topping of your choice.
* Adjust all chutneys according to your taste.
* Last but not least add your 'love' to make the dish more 'yummy'.

   I love hearing back from my friends and readers. Please let me know how you liked this post, and if you would consider making this recipe, or have already made it. Please take a moment to post pictures on my Facebook page, if you do happen to take a couple :)
Have a delicious weekend ahead!
Happy Cooking!

 

Popcorn Bhel

         "हम लोगो को समज सको तो समजो दिलभर जानी,
          जितना भी तुम समजोगे उतनी होगी हैरानी ,
           हम में काफी बातें है  जो लगती है दिवानी ,
            थोड़ी मजबूरी है लेकिन थोड़ी है मनमानी,
फिर भी दिल है हिंदुस्तानी, फिर भी दिल है हिंदुस्तानी !!!!!"
          Yes! Phir bhi dil hai Hindustani...Again, I'm back with my all time favorite Fusion Recipe. Guess what..? Correct, it's fusion chat recipe, "Popcorn Bhel"!!!

 Fusion food is all about bringing together the best of two cuisine to create a dish that is in the true sense-A new world cuisine. I almost like all kind of cuisines from world as far as they are vegetarian. But still always wants some Indian flavors and Indian touch in any amazing food. True, it's funny, but that's me.:) Popcorn Bhel, the name is enough to know about the recipe. Definitely a choice of new generation. This recipe has no rocket science. Just need some regular ingredients with popcorn and here you go for awesome and relax day ahead. Another weekend-special recipe for you all. Just try it this weekend and make your weekend special with this chatpata bhel. Popcorn Bhel is as easy as "Pop-Pop"...,get up and pop your popcorn with some other preparation and done deal for relax weekend with sharp taste of Popcorn Bhel. You will feel each ingredient's taste on your tongue all weekend long. I would say definitely give it a try. Let's taste a titanic twist Popcorn Bhel!!!!

Ingredients:
For Chutney or Sauce;
1tbls oil
1cup Diced onions
2cloves of Garlic
1cup Diced tomatoes
1tbl Red chili powder
1/2tsp Oregano
1tsp Red crushed Pepper(red chili flaks)
Salt to taste
1tbl Ketchup(if you don't have Sriracha sauce and maggi ketchup, use 2tbls Ketchup
1tsp Sriracha hot chili sauce
1/2tbl Maggi masala chili ketchup(spicy chili sauce)
3tbls Hot & Spicy cheddar cheese sauce(you can use any spread cheese) 
1tbl Cream cheese
For serving;
150grms Popped popcorn(2-3 bags unpopped)
2tbls Boiled-chopped potatoes
2tbls Chopped onions
2tbls Chopped tomatoes
1tbls Chopped bell peppers
1tbls Chopped cilantro
For garnish;
1/4 cup mix of chopped onion and chopped bell pepper along with some red crushed pepper and oregano.
Method:
For chutney or sauce;
* Heat the pan with oil.
* Add diced onions and garlic cloves in it.
* Cook for about 3-4 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Add diced tomatoes and sauté.

* Add salt, red chili powder, red crushed pepper  and oregano.

* Mix all and cook for a while.

* Turn off the stove and keep the pan on stove for about 1 minute.

* Transfer all into a grinder cup.

* Grind all and make smooth paste.

* Transfer paste into a bowl.

* Heat cheddar cheese sauce and cream cheese for about a minute or till gets smooth liquid texture.

* Add cheese sauce into paste and mix.

* Add ketchup, sriracha hot chili sauce and maggi masala chili sauce into paste and mix well all together.

* Keep on side for serving time.

For serving;

* Take big mixing bowl.

* Add popcorns, chopped onions, boiled chopped potatoes, chopped tomatoes, chopped bell pepper and chopped cilantro.

* Mix well.

* Add 3-4 big serving spoons of chutney or sauce.

* Mix all well.

* If you need more chutney or sauce, add it according to your taste.

* Garnish with some chopped onions, bell peppers, red crushed pepper and oregano.

* A very unique sweet and savory and chatpati dish is ready to serve.

* Enjoy!!!!

   

In next issue we shall discuss and taste Navratri Special dish again. Till then enjoy food wisely and nicely:)

 Happy Navratra Once Again....

 

Taco Ragdo

       Hello!! I'm back again with my all time favorite fusion recipe. I love fusion cooking. The best part though is that when it comes to fusion cooking, there are no rules to be follow!:). Today I am going to share the recipe named, "Taco Ragdo." This recipe is full of flavors. I'm sure you all will enjoy it as much as I do.

      Fusion food is about bringing together the best of two or more than two cuisines to create a dish that is in the true sense, a new world cuisine! It not carters to brand new generation of food choice, but also gives you a chance to push the envelope on creativity a bit further with each recipe you try.
        This recipe is functioning around  india famous recipe, Ragda Petis and it team up with Mexican pizza's shell. Dosen't it sound interesting to you all?!. I know, it does.., so let's not waste the time and start effort for this fusion Taco Ragdo recipe.

Ingredients:

For Ragdo;
* 2 cups green or yellow dries peas soaked for atleast 6 hours and cooked until soft
* 3-4 tbls oil
* 1 tsp mustard seeds
* Pinch of asafetida
* 1-2 dry whole red chilli
* 1/2 cup chopped onions
* 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
* 1 tbls ginger-garlic- green chili paste
* 5-6 curry leaves(Limdo)
* 1 tsp turmeric powder
* 1 tsp red chilli powder
* 1/2 tbls ragda petis masala or garam masala(adjust according to your taste)
* 1/2 tbls lemon juice
* 1 tsp brown sugar
* Salt to taste 
* 1 to 1&1/2 cup water

For Serving;
* 6-8 Mexican pizza shells

* 1 bowl mixed chopped onions, bell peppers, pomegranate, tomatoes and cilantro

* 1 bowl fine thin besan sev

* 1 bowl date and tamarind sweet chutney

* 1 Bowl green cilantro chutney

* 1/2 bowl red chilli and garlic spicy chutney

* 1 bowl Beaten sweet yogurt(yogurt+salt+sugar+cumin powder+little water)

follow the link for all three chutney recipes

Method:

* Heat the oil in deep pan.
* Add mustard seeds, add asafetida, dry whole red chilies and curry leaves.
* Add chopped onions and sauté well.
* Add ginger-garlic-green chili paste and cook for a while.
* Add tomatoes and sauté till tomatoes get tender.

* Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, ragda petis masala or garam masala and sugar.
* Mix all well.
* Add boiled green or yellow peas and water.

* Cook until ragdo gets thick constituency.

* Add lemon juice and mix again.
* Turn off the stove and keep it aside for serving.

Let's serve now:

* Place the Mexican pizza's shell on serving plate.

* Spread ragdo on it.
* Drizzle all three chutneys and sweet yogurt on ragdo.

* Sprinkle chopped onions, bell peppers, pomegranate, tomato and cilantro mix.
* And last sprinkle besan sev on top.

* Serve it immediately and enjoy the delicious fusion chaat.

"A recipe has no soul. You as the cook must bring soul to the recipe."

     Happy Cooking till next time.