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Tea-time in India is a cherished ritual that goes beyond just a cup of tea. It's an opportunity to indulge in a variety of mouthwatering snacks that complement the aromatic beverage. Let us explore eight popular tea-time treats from India that are commonly enjoyed alongside a steaming cup of tea. These treats add a burst of flavours and textures, making the tea-time experience truly delightful.
1. Biscuits: Classic and Versatile
Biscuits are a staple during tea-time in India. From simple butter biscuits to flavorful cookies, there is a wide variety to choose from. These crispy and crunchy delights are perfect for dipping into your tea or enjoying on their own. Some popular choices include Parle-G, Marie, and digestive biscuits, which are loved for their light texture and subtle sweetness.
2. Namak Pare: Savory and Addictive
Namak Pare are savoury, crispy snacks made from wheat flour and spices. These diamond-shaped treats are deep-fried until golden brown and seasoned with a blend of salt, chilli powder, and other spices. Their addictive taste and crunchy texture make them an ideal accompaniment to a hot cup of tea, especially during festive seasons and special occasions.
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour, semolina, carom seeds, salt, oil, water
Method:
1. Mix all-purpose flour, semolina, carom seeds, and salt in a bowl.
2. Add oil and rub it into the flour mixture until it resembles breadcrumbs.
3. Gradually add water and knead to form a firm dough.
4. Roll out the dough into a thin sheet and cut it into diamond shapes.
5. Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the namak pare until they turn golden brown.
6. Drain on a paper towel and let them cool before serving.
3. Mathri: Crispy and Flavorful
Mathri is a popular tea-time snack enjoyed across India. These crispy and flaky biscuits are made with a combination of all-purpose flour, ghee (clarified butter), and a blend of spices. The dough is rolled out, cut into small rounds or squares, and then deep-fried until golden brown. Mathri pairs perfectly with a cup of tea and can be enjoyed plain or with a spicy pickle.
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour, ghee (clarified butter), carom seeds, salt, water, oil for frying
Method:
1. In a mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, ghee, carom seeds, and salt.
2. Rub the ghee into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs.
3. Gradually add water and knead to form a firm dough.
4. Divide the dough into small portions and roll each portion into a thin round or square shape.
5. Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the mathris until they become golden brown and crispy.
6. Drain the excess oil on a paper towel and allow them to cool before serving.
4. Samosas: Spicy and Irresistible
Samosas are arguably the most popular and beloved tea-time snack in India. These triangular pastries are filled with a savoury mixture of spiced potatoes, peas, and sometimes minced meat. The dough is rolled out, filled with the flavorful stuffing, and deep-fried until golden and crispy. Samosas are often served with mint chutney or tamarind chutney, enhancing their delicious taste.
Ingredients:
- For the dough: all-purpose flour, salt, oil, water
- For the filling: potatoes, peas, onions, spices (cumin, coriander, garam masala), oil for frying
Method:
1. Prepare the dough by combining all-purpose flour, salt, and oil. Gradually add water to form a smooth dough.
2. Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.
3. In a separate pan, heat oil and sauté onions until translucent.
4. Add the spices, boiled and mashed potatoes, and peas to the pan. Mix well and cook for a few minutes.
5. Divide the dough into small portions and roll each portion into a thin circle.
6. Cut the circle in half and form a cone shape by joining the straight edges.
7. Fill the cone with the potato mixture and seal the edges.
8. Deep-fry the samosas until they turn golden brown and crispy.
9. Serve hot with mint chutney or tamarind chutney.
5. Pakoras: Crunchy and Flavor-packed
Pakoras are a quintessential tea-time snack loved by many. These deep-fried fritters are made by dipping vegetables or even paneer (Indian cottage cheese) into a spiced chickpea flour batter and frying them until crisp. Popular choices for pakoras include onion, potato, spinach, and chilli. Served piping hot, pakoras offer a delightful combination of crunchiness and savoury flavours.
Ingredients:
- Assorted vegetables (onions, potatoes, spinach, chilli, etc.)
- Chickpea flour, rice flour, spices (turmeric, chilli powder, cumin powder), salt, water, oil for frying
Method:
1. Slice the vegetables into thin pieces or desired shapes.
2. In a bowl, mix chickpea flour, rice flour, spices, and salt.
3. Gradually add water to the mixture and whisk until it forms a thick batter.
4. Heat oil in a deep pan or kadai for frying.
5. Dip the vegetable slices into the batter, making sure they are coated evenly.
6. Carefully drop the coated vegetables into the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy.
7. Remove from oil and drain on a paper towel.
8. Serve the pakoras hot with mint chutney or tomato ketchup.
6. Aloo Bondas: Comforting and Tasty
Aloo Bondas are deep-fried potato fritters that are immensely popular as tea-time snacks. They feature a spiced mashed potato mixture coated in a gram flour batter and fried until golden and crispy. Aloo Bondas are best enjoyed with a cup of tea, providing a comforting and satisfying experience.
Ingredients:
- Potatoes, gram flour, rice flour, spices (turmeric, chilli powder, coriander powder), curry leaves, baking soda, oil for frying
Method:
1. Boil and mash the potatoes in a bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, mix gram flour, rice flour, spices, curry leaves, baking soda, and salt.
3. Gradually add water to the mixture and whisk until it forms a smooth batter.
4. Take a portion of the mashed potatoes and shape it into a ball or a desired shape.
5. Dip the potato ball into the batter, ensuring it is coated evenly.
6. Heat oil in a pan for frying.
7. Carefully drop the coated potato ball into the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy.
8. Remove from oil and drain on a paper towel.
9. Serve the Aloo Bondas hot with mint chutney or tomato ketchup.
7. Kachori: Flaky and Flavorful
Kachori is a deep-fried pastry filled with a spiced mixture of lentils, peas, or even minced meat. The dough is made from all-purpose flour, which is rolled out and stuffed with the filling before being shaped into small balls and deep-fried until golden and crispy. Kachoris are known for their flaky texture and rich flavours, making them a popular choice for tea-time indulgence.
Ingredients:
- For the dough: all-purpose flour, oil, salt, water
- For the filling: lentils (such as moong dal or urad dal), spices (cumin, coriander, red chilli powder, garam masala), oil for frying
Method:
1. Prepare the dough by mixing all-purpose flour, oil, and salt in a bowl. Gradually add water to form a firm dough.
2. Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.
3. Rinse and soak the lentils for a few hours. Drain and grind them to a coarse paste.
4. Heat oil in a pan and sauté the lentil paste with spices until well cooked.
5. Divide the dough into small portions and roll each portion into a small circle.
6. Place a spoonful of the lentil mixture in the centre of the circle and bring the edges together to seal the filling.
7. Gently flatten the stuffed dough ball and deep-fry in hot oil until golden brown and crispy.
8. Serve hot with chutney or yoghurt.
8. Dhokla: Light and Tangy
Dhokla is a steamed savoury snack originating from the state of Gujarat. It is made from fermented chickpea flour and rice batter, which is seasoned with spices, ginger, and green chilli. The batter is steamed to create a soft and fluffy cake, which is then tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and a sprinkle of lemon juice. Dhokla offers a delightful combination of tanginess and lightness, making it a refreshing choice for tea time.
Ingredients:
- Fermented chickpea flour and rice batter, yoghourt, ginger-chilli paste, lemon juice, mustard seeds, curry leaves, oil
Method:
1. Mix the fermented batter with yoghurt, ginger-chilli paste, and salt.
2. Grease a steaming pan or thali and pour the batter into it.
3. Steam the batter for about 15-20 minutes until it is cooked and firm.
4. In a separate pan, heat oil and temper mustard seeds and curry leaves.
5. Cut the steamed dhokla into squares or diamonds and pour the tempered oil mixture over it.
6. Sprinkle lemon juice on top for a tangy flavour.
7. Serve the dhokla at room temperature with green chutney.
9. Chivda: Crunchy and Savory Mixture
Chivda, also known as Namkeen or Mixture, is a popular tea-time snack that consists of a blend of crispy fried ingredients. It typically includes flattened rice (poha), peanuts, roasted lentils, and various spices. This crunchy and savoury mixture is often seasoned with curry leaves, mustard seeds, and turmeric. Chivda is a delightful option for tea-time snacking, offering a perfect balance of textures and flavours.
Ingredients:
- Flattened rice (poha), peanuts, roasted lentils (chana dal), curry leaves, spices (turmeric, red chilli powder, cumin powder), oil, salt
Method:
1. Rinse the flattened rice (poha) and drain the excess water.
2. Heat oil in a pan and fry the peanuts until they turn golden brown. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pan, fry the roasted lentils (chana dal) until they become crispy. Remove and set aside.
4. Add curry leaves to the pan and fry until they turn crispy.
5. Lower the heat and add the drained flattened rice (poha) to the pan. Stir well.
6. Add spices (turmeric, red chilli powder, cumin powder), salt, and the fried peanuts and roasted lentils to the pan. Mix everything together.
7. Cook for a few minutes, stirring continuously, until the flavours meld together.
8. Allow the chivda to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container.
9. Serve the chivda as a crunchy tea-time snack.
10. Chop Cutlet:
The aroma of freshly fried chop cutlets wafts through the air, beckoning tea enthusiasts to indulge in this crispy and flavorful treat. These golden-brown delights are known for their irresistible taste and satisfying crunch, making them a quintessential snack for tea time.
Ingredients:
-2 medium-sized potatoes, boiled and mashed
-1 cup minced chicken/mutton/vegetables
-1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
-1 teaspoon garam masala
-1 teaspoon red chilli powder
-1 teaspoon turmeric powder
Salt to taste
-1 tablespoon oil for cooking
-1 cup breadcrumbs
-1 egg, beaten
-Oil for deep frying
Method:
- Heat oil in a pan and sauté the ginger-garlic paste until fragrant. Add the minced chicken/mutton/vegetables and cook until done.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, cooked meat/vegetables, garam masala, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, and salt. Mix well to form a smooth mixture.
- Shape the mixture into small patties or cutlets.
- Dip each cutlet into beaten egg and roll it in breadcrumbs, ensuring it is evenly coated.
- Heat oil in a deep pan for frying. Once hot, carefully place the cutlets into the oil and fry until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the cutlets from the oil and drain excess oil on a paper towel.
- Serve the hot and crispy chop cutlets with mint chutney or ketchup.
Tea-time in India is not only about the beverage but also about the delectable treats that accompany it. These eight popular tea-time snacks offer a range of options to cherish with your favourite cup of Chai!
