I am a die-hard chaat fan. I grew up within walking distance from New Delhi’s famous Bengali Market and it would not be an exaggeration to say I ate chaat practically 365 days of the year. Right until the time I left home for grad school, I went to “BM” almost everyday… with my mum, dad, friends or by myself. The circular neighborhood market was my favorite destination for a daily outing. And I cannot recall a single visit without a pit stop at Nathu’s Sweets to gulp down a plate of sooji ke golgappe or my favorite, bhalla-papdi chaat (always with extra sonth and dahi :P). Needless to say, the love affair has lasted a lifetime… you can take a girl out of Delhi, but you can’t take Delhi out of a girl.

Sadly, my South Indian husband does not share my affinity for chaat, but I need my chaat fix at regular intervals. I have been craving it for a while and since we are not ordering in food from restaurants during the lockdown, this Mixed Sprouts Chaat was the easiest, most effortless way to satisfy the same. It may not be the ideal replacement for a plate of Delhi-style chaat, but it does meet the crunchy, tangy, spicy and sweet flavor brief. It is also light, healthy, refreshing and doubles up nicely as a salad (especially good chilled).

Recipe

Mixed Sprouts Chaat

(Serves 4)

Ingredients

1 cup mixed sprouts, lightly steamed
1/2 cup diced semi-ripe green mango (I used totapuri mango)
1/2 cup pomegranate arils
1/4 cup roasted peanuts (optional)
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
2 tbsp finely chopped cilantro
1 tbsp finely chopped mint leaves
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice/white vinegar
1 tsp red chilli flakes
2 tsp jaggery/honey
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 tsp roasted cumin powder
1/2 tsp black salt
1/2 tsp chaat masala
Salt to taste
1/4 cup bhujia sev for garnish (optional, but recommended)

Method

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and toss well to coat evenly.

Sprinkle with sev and serve immediately.

Note: To serve the chaat chilled, mix all the ingredients except the salt and refrigerate until cold. Just before serving mix in salt to taste and garnish the chaat with the sev.