Many people love enjoying chaat, but often hesitate to eat street food outside due to hygiene and health concerns. To solve this dilemma, you can easily prepare a wonderful chaat at home using kabuli chana and aloo tikki that tastes just like your favorite street food stall. The best part is that this recipe is specially crafted for Navratri, meaning it contains no onions and is prepared using rock salt instead of regular table salt.
How to Prepare Kabuli Chana Chhole
According to Ranchi homemaker Usha, the process begins by soaking kabuli chana in water overnight so they soften properly. The next morning, pressure cook the soaked chickpeas for about two to four whistles until they are completely cooked through. Heat mustard oil in a kadhai and add whole spices such as bay leaves, cumin seeds, and cinnamon for tempering. Once these spices crackle in the oil, add the boiled kabuli chana and fry them for two to three minutes.
Blending Spices and Creating the Gravy
The next step involves adding freshly ground spices to the chickpeas. Blend together turmeric powder, red chili powder, whole coriander, black pepper, mixed spices, salt to taste, and tomatoes in a mixer grinder. Pour this smooth spice paste into the chickpeas and cook until the masala is thoroughly roasted and fragrant. Once the spices are cooked, mash two to four boiled potatoes and mix them into the chhana, which gives the gravy a rich and thick texture. Pour in water as needed, and after about fifteen minutes, your onion-free and garlic-free chhole will be completely ready.
Preparing the Crispy Potato Tikki
While the chhole simmers, take boiled potatoes and mix in a little cumin powder and rock salt to form a smooth dough. Shape this mixture into neat round tikkis and shallow fry them on a tawa using oil until they turn golden brown and crispy. Your aloo tikki is now ready without needing any extra complications or ingredients. Plate two to three prepared tikkis and generously ladle the hot chhole over them. Top the dish with a drizzle of tamarind chutney, green chutney, a little curd, red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, salt to taste, and a handful of sev bhujia. Your homemade Navratra special tikki chaat is now fully ready to be served and enjoyed.
