Pani Puri

Take a survey - Which is your favorite Mumbai street Snack? - The topmost answer expected is  "Pani Puri" !!

Yay !!

After I started staying away from home, only then I started to have pani puri from street vendor. I even love the seven  ten rupees pani puri which you get from the Tapri Pani Puri bhaiyya!

But my favorite is Mom's Pani Puri! :)

Main reason is you can hog and hog and you don't have noticing people staring @ you if you ask for one more plate every time. I was/am/will be undoubtingly the winner in eating the maximum puris at my place (Thanks to BRO as he used to find the process of breaking puris then stuffing with veggie and then Pani too lonnng!) and I think even now after marriage I'm still the Ruling Queen as The Foodie got exhausted by mere 20 Puris!! ;)

Once you have all ingredients ready it doesn't take more than 10 to 15 minutes, and you can have this dish for hours.

You need:

• Pani Puri ka Puris packet (I've no idea how to prepare this @ home)
• Sprouted Matki (Moth Bean): I used this for stuffing the Puris
• Asafoetida (Hing) pinch
• Pudina (Mint Leaves): 1 cup
• Green Chilies: 1-2
• Ginger: ½ inch
• Garlic: 1-2 cloves
• Cumin Seeds: 2-3 tbsp
• Coriander leaves: ½ cup (Optional - it gives green color to Pani)
• Dates (Khajur): 4-5
• Tamarind: 3-4
• Jaggery: I've crushed jaggery so used 2-3 tablespoon
• Turmeric powder: ½ tsp
• Red Chili powder: ½ tsp
• Pani Puri chat Masala to give the required Aroma (Optional)
• Cold drinking water: As much concentrated you require
• Black Salt (Kala Namak): 2 tsp
• Salt to taste

You Do:


Stuffing:

1. Put some oil in the Kadhai, once heated put pinch of Asafetida.
   
2. Then put the sprouted matki with very little water. Let it cook for couple of mins then put salt and little of turmeric powder.
   
3. Cover it to cook till the time Pani is prepared. Will be done in 10-15 mins

Pani of Pani Puri:

1. After washing the Mint and Coriander leaves with loads of water, Mix with green chilies, ginger and garlic and grind to make a smooth paste - Hari Green chutney
   
2. Mix Jaggery, Tamarind and Dates in a bowl and put some hot water in it, so that it melts together, then put it with the green paste just made and grind again. - Namkin Sweet Chutney (without mixing with green chutney)
   
3. Once a smooth paste is done mix turmeric powder, red chili powder, Pani Puri masala, black salt and salt to taste.
   
4. Pour cold water in it and mix or grind together. (Add water in accordance with the required concentration)

Done..Dana..Done !!
Sometimes Pani Puri Bhaiyyas give the sweet and spicy chutney differently. But I prefer it this way ! Normally 6-8 Puris are served along with Pani and required stuffing.

For stuffing in Pani Puri the street vendors use Ragda while in north India in Pani Batashe/ Gol gappe they use boiled potatoes with chickpeas.

But Mom used matki, sometimes other sprouts like moong mix, I guess this was most nutritional for WE KIDS then and now it's Healthy for US GROWN UPS !! :D
This being my favourite evening snack especially prepared by Mom, I would like to send this as an entry for Divya and Sharmi's CFK:Evening Snacks !