How to cook masala puri

Masala Puri: All You Need to Know

Masala puri is a Mumbai street food snack consisting of puris with spicy potato and pea curry, tamarind chutney, and chopped onions and tomatoes. The result is a dish with a delicious crunch, sweetness, sourness, and spices that make masala puri irresistible. Masala puri is a simple and versatile food that can be prepared and served as a tea-time snack, breakfast, or on any special occasions. This snack has gained popularity in the past few decades and is now easily available in many places outside Mumbai as well.

Ingredients for Masala Puri

Masala puri is a layered Indian snack that can have multiple ingredients in it. The ingredients include puris, boiled potatoes, boiled peas, onions, tomatoes, ginger, green chilies, salt, tamarind chutney, chaat masala, lemon juice, sev, and chopped coriander leaves.

Step 1: Preparing Puri for Masala Puri

Making puri for masala puri is the first step to preparing this snack. You can buy ready-made puris from any Indian store. The puris have to be crispy and hollow. If you want to make your own puris, you can use sooji (semolina) and all-purpose flour to prepare them.

Step 2: Cooking the Potato and Pea Masala

The next step in preparing the masala puri is cooking the potato and pea masala. You will need boiled potatoes and peas to make the masala. You will also need some onions and tomatoes, ginger, green chilies, and salt for the preparation of the masala.

Step 3: Making Tamarind Chutney for Masala Puri

Tamarind chutney is an essential component of the masala puri recipe. It is made by adding jaggery or brown sugar to the tamarind paste. It is then flavored with roasted cumin powder, black salt, and red chili powder to make it sweet and sour.

Step 4: Adding Onion and Tomato Crunch to the Masala Puri

Chopped onions and tomatoes are added to masala puri to add crunch to the snack. They also add a nice texture and sweetness to the masala puri, which is a combination of spicy, sweet, and sour flavors.

Step 5: Layering the Masala Puri Ingredients in the Right Order

Masala puri has several ingredients, and they must be layered in the right order for the snack to taste good. Start by spreading a layer of the mashed potato and pea masala on the puri, followed by the tamarind chutney. Then, add some chopped onions and tomatoes to the masala puri, and garnish it with some sev and chopped coriander leaves.

Step 6: Balancing the Spice, Sweet, and Sour Levels in Masala Puri

Masala puri is a spicy, sweet, and sour snack, and its taste depends on how the ingredients are mixed. If the masala puri is too spicy, add some more jaggery or brown sugar to it, and if it is too sweet, add more salt to balance the sweetness.

Step 7: Garnishing Masala Puri with Sev and Fresh Herbs

The final step in making masala puri is garnishing it with some sev and fresh herbs. Sev is a type of crispy fried vermicelli noodles made from chickpea flour, and it is a popular garnish in Indian snacks. Add some fresh coriander leaves to the masala puri to give it a fresh taste.

Step 8: Serving Masala Puri Hot and Fresh

Masala puri should be served hot and fresh for the best taste. Once it has cooled down, the snack loses its crunch and taste. You can serve the masala puri with some hot chai or any other Indian tea drink.

Step 9: Variations and Customizations for Making Masala Puri

You can try different variations and customizations while making masala puri. For example, you can add boiled chickpeas, potatoes, or sprouts to the masala puri to give it a different flavor. You can also use different types of chutneys, such as mint chutney or onion chutney, to make the snack taste different.

Step 10: Tips for Perfectly Cooking Masala Puri at Home

To make masala puri at home, follow these tips. Firstly, make sure that the potatoes and peas are boiled well before mashing them for the masala puri. Secondly, cook the onion and tomato masala well, so that it blends with the mashed potatoes and peas. Lastly, do not overcook the puris as they will become soggy and lose their crunch.

Step 11: Masala Puri’s Cultural Importance in Mumbai

Masala puri is a popular Mumbai street food that is loved by people of all ages. It is an important part of the city’s culture and tradition, and people from different parts of the country have come to Mumbai to try it out.

Step 12: Pairing Masala Puri with Other Dishes and Drinks

Masala puri can be paired with other dishes and drinks for a complete Mumbai street food experience. You can pair the snack with some hot tea or lemonade and have it with some bhel puri or dahi vada for a filling meal.

Conclusion

Making masala puri is an easy and fun way to enjoy the Mumbai street food sensation. The crispy puris, spicy potato and pea masala, and the sweet and sour tamarind chutney make this snack a must-try for everyone. You can follow the steps outlined in this article to make masala puri at home, and enjoy it with your friends and family.