Five Contemporary Chaat-Inspired Small Bites To Titillate Your Taste Buds!
Chaat, with its myriad of textures and flavours, is undeniably one of the most versatile and delicious culinary creations to be birthed from India. The humble Indian chaat has found countless variations across several regions of the Indian subcontinent and continues to be a threat that binds the country together, while also celebrating its diversity.
Zinging across taste buds, awakening every flavour on one’s palate, chaat serves as the perfect appetiser to start an Indian meal or to feed a lively gathering. Let’s take a look at some drool-worthy chaat-inspired small bites that you can whip up quick and easy.
Chaat Bruschetta
Ingredients
Boiled chickpeas
Chopped tomatoes
Chopped onions
Baguette slices
Tamarind chutney
Mint chutney
Chaat masala
Sev
Instructions
Take your baguette slices and toast them until they’re nice and crispy. Top off each baguette slice with adequate quantities of boiled chickpeas, chopped tomatoes, and chopped onions and then generously sprinkle chaat masala over the toppings. Drizzle some of that delicious tamarind and punchy mint chutney over your bruschetta. Garnish your baguette slice with a healthy quantity of sev and serve this delightful twist on the traditional bruschetta.
Chaat Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers
Ingredients
Boiled potatoes, mashed
Boiled chickpeas
Mini bell peppers, halved and deseeded
Chopped onions
Tamarind chutney
Chaat masala
Mint chutney
Sev
Chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
Take a bowl and combine the mashed potatoes, chopped onions, boiled chickpeas, chaat masala, tamarind chutney, and mint chutney. Next, stuff this drool-worthy mixture into the halved mini bell peppers. Garnish these cutesy peppers with sev (don’t stop till you don’t want to) and some chopped cilantro for that freshness. Serve chilled or at room temperature, either way, they’re going to be exquisite.
Chaat Salad Cups
Ingredients
Salad greens (lettuce, spinach, arugula, etc.)
Chopped tomatoes
Chopped cucumbers
Boiled chickpeas
Tamarind chutney
Mint chutney
Chaat masala
Sev
Instructions
Arrange your salad greens in small cups or little bowls. Top them off with boiled chickpeas, chopped tomatoes, and chopped cucumbers. Drizzle some tangy tamarind chutney and some mouth-watering mint chutney on the salad cups, sprinkle on some chaat masala according to taste, and finish it off with some crunchy sev over the top. Serve immediately as a refreshing and nutritious snack.
Chaat Tostadas
Ingredients
Tostada shells or baked tortilla chips
Boiled chickpeas
Boiled potatoes, mashed
Chopped onions
Mint chutney
Tamarind chutney
Yoghurt
Chaat masala
Sev
Instructions
Spread an even layer of mashed potatoes on each tostada shell or tortilla chip. Add in the boiled chickpeas and chopped onions on top, and then drizzle on some tamarind chutney, mint chutney, and yoghurt. Sprinkle chaat masala and sev on top and serve this crunchy, flavourful snack immediately.
Shrimp Chaat Tacos
Ingredients
Cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
Mini taco shells or bite-sized tortilla chips
Chopped tomatoes
Chopped onions
Mint chutney
Tamarind chutney
Sour cream
Chaat masala
Sev
Chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
Heat the delicate cooked shrimp in a pan over medium heat until it’s warmed through. Arrange the mini taco shells or bite-sized tortilla chips on a serving platter and place a piece of cooked shrimp onto each taco shell or tortilla chip. Top off the shrimp with some chopped onions and chopped tomatoes. Drizzle on some tamarind chutney, mint chutney, and dash of sour cream over the toppings. Sprinkle chaat masala over each taco or chip and garnish them with sev and chopped cilantro. Serve this delicious non-veg chaat-inspired snack and vow to your guests!
The remarkability of Indian chaat lies in its ability to transform humble ingredients into culinary masterpieces. Chaat, especially in India, is more than just a dish. It’s an emotion and a culinary journey that one embarks upon. Some of our best memories have all been while enjoying chaat with our community, and that’s what makes this humble Indian street food so special. Chat’s versatility and deliciousness knows no bounds, and ensures that each chaat encounter leaves a lasting impression on both the palate and the soul.
