Winters are definitely one of the most favorable seasons to indulge in street foods and what better than the Panipuri, a popular Indian snack and such a lovely small eat that few can resist it. Known by various names, it is called panipuri in north India, fuchka in east India and golgappa in southern part of India.
It is so tasty that very few pay attention to its origins. Panipuri is said to take care of stomach related disorders like acidity, indigestion etc. although the list of ingredients that are used to prepare it are quite spicy.
It is one of the favourite snacks for the members of fairer sex but the male counterparts are also not much left behind and are so much loved that some guys have invented their own variety. But all things said and done, a platter full of panipuri can give a serious competition to any maincourse!
For those who are coming across this word first time, panipuri is combination of puri, stuffing, chutney and masala water. Very tasty and sort of addictive too, panipuri lovers never forget the taste which they enjoy during childhood and search and compare the same taste elsewhere they go.
Here is the recipe of the Panipuri:
Ingredients for the Panipuri balls:
# 125 gm refined wheat flour (maida)# 125 g semolina (Sooji)
# 1 pinch baking powder
# 3 tablespoon Club soda
# Salt according to taste
Ingredients for the filling:
# 3-4 potatoes, boiled and coarsely mashed
# 1/2 cup boiled chana or white peas or Moong sprouts
# 1/2 teaspoon black salt or rock salt
# 1/2 teaspoon freshly roasted Cumin (jeera) powder
# 1/2 teaspoon chilli/red pepper powder
# 1 teaspoonful of chopped coriander leaves
# 2 teaspoonfuls of coriander powder
# Salt to taste
Ingredients for the Tamarind Water:
# 4 cups water
# Deseeded 1/4 cup tamarind pulp (imli)
# 1/4 cups dates (khajur)
# 1/4 cup jaggery (gud)# 1 teaspoonful of finely chopped coriander leaves
# 1 cup finely chopped mint leaves
# 2 teaspoon ginger paste
# 1 teaspoon rock/black salt
# 1 teaspoon chopped green chilli
# 1/4 teaspoon chilli powder
# 1/2 teaspoon roasted cumin (jeera) powder
# 1 teaspoon dry mango powder
# A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
# Salt to taste
Preparation:
1. Mix the baking powder with semolina, plain flour, soda water and salt. Knead well to make a semi-stiff dough. Cover it with clean wet cloth for about 10 minutes.
2. Divide the dough into equal sized balls, about 2 inches in diameter. Roll out each ball flat. Place each circle under damp cloth right after rolling.
3. Heat oil in a skillet (kadhai). Float the circular pieces on oil. Deep fry these circles, slightly pressing with a slotted spoon. When it puffs up and are golden brown and hardens to spherical shape, remove from oil in a strainer. Place on absorbent tissue to drain out excess oil. Cool the bread spheres down to room temperature. Keep aside.
4. Peal off the potatoes and boil. Smash the potatoes and mix all the above mentioned ingredients for the filling.
5. Wash the dates, tamarind and place them in a saucepan. Also add the jaggery, asafoetida, salt, 1 cup of water and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool and strain the mixture through a sieve to get tamarind water.
6. Grind the mint, coriander leaves, ginger & green chillies into a paste using a blender. Mix them with the tamarind water and all the other ingredients to make a thick suspension. Refrigerate for about 2 hours to ensure proper blending.
Serving:
Panipuri is to be eaten as soon as it is served. Now poke a small hole in the center of each puri and put the stuffing inside. Dip in the prepared water so that puri is filled with it. You have to put the entire puri into your mouth at once to savor the taste
Experiment the filling with your imagination with a spiced mixture. Some like the water to be chilli hot, some like it sweet and hot, some like it just sweet. So alter it to your taste and have fun.
Health wise Panipuri is very light. Taken in moderation it works as a good appetizer. Tamarind extract is digestive and cool in nature. It quenches the thirst, give feeling of satisfaction. Carefully made it is low on calories. Evenings are ever complete without this lovely snack.
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