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Holi, the festival of colours, is here and is celebrated across India with great fervour and enthusiasm. Apart from being a playful festivity, it is also a celebration of a range of traditional culinary delights like gujiya, malpua, bajiyas, and a variety of savoury chaats.
For the uninitiated, chaats are savoury snacks that are prepared in a variety of ways and methods across India. These snacks have a balance of all tastes, including sweet, salt, spice, sour and a hint of bitterness. It is believed to have originated in Uttar Pradesh but has gained prominence across the country and worldwide. Most of these chaats incorporate yoghurt, which can be a cooling respite from the summer heat as you splash colours on friends, family and loved ones.
Here are different kinds of chaats that can be included in your holi party menu this year:
- Dahi Puri
This is a popular chaat made from crispy puris, which are filled with a mixture of mashed potatoes, chickpeas, finely chopped onions and tomatoes, mint-coriander chutney, tangy tamarind chutney, and dollops of whisked yoghurt. To make it extra flavourful, a sprinkle of spices like cumin and chaat masala is also added. The combination of puris with yoghurt and chutney makes it a refreshing and delightful treat for Holi.
- Chana Chaat
It is a protein-rich snack that will satisfy the taste buds of the people playing and enjoying Holi. Here, the boiled chickpeas are mixed with diced potatoes, onions, green chillies, and a blend of spices like chaat masala, roasted cumin powder, and a hint of lemon juice to create a refreshing and satisfying chaat. You can serve the chaat warm, at room temperature, or with a dollop of curd on it. This chaat will surely offer a burst of flavour with every bite.
- Papdi Chaat
This is the most popular Indian street food that has spread its different versions across the world. This street food combines crispy papdi (fried discs of flattened dough) with a blend of flavourful toppings. These toppings consist of boiled potatoes, chickpeas, fried green peas, chopped onions, tomatoes, a variety of chutneys, including mint and tamarind, and yoghurt. papdi chaat is garnished with a generous sprinkle of chaat masala and sev, adding an extra layer of crunch and flavour to the snack.
- Bhel Puri
This is a light and refreshing chaat made of puffed rice, which is mixed with chopped vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, green chillies, and a blend of tangy tamarind chutney and spicy green chutney. This mixture is transferred to a serving bowl, topped generously with sev, and finished off with a squeeze of lemon juice and a garnish of finely chopped fresh coriander. The chaat features a blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavours. It is a popular choice for Holi parties owing to its vibrant colours and refreshing taste.
- Samosa Chaat
This chaat is a timeless favourite of people because it combines the crispness of deep-fried samosas with the chutneys’ tanginess and creaminess of yoghurt. To prepare this, samosas are crumbled, topped with a drizzle of sweet tamarind chutney, spicy green chutney, and whipped yoghurt, and mixed along with chopped onions, tomatoes, chaat masala, and aamchur powder with lemon juice. This irresistible combination of flavour and texture is a must-have for a Holi celebration.
- Aloo Tikki Chaat
This is a common, hearty and satisfying chaat that features potato tikkis (patties) that are topped with a variety of toppings. The toppings consist of tamarind chutney, green chutney, yoghurt, and fresh coriander leaves. It is a crowd-pleaser and can be enjoyed by people at the Holi celebration.
- Ragda Pattice
Hailing from Mumbai, this streetside chaat consists of potato patties that are served with a spicy white pea curry (ragda) and an array of flavourful toppings. To prepare the topping, take chopped onions, tomatoes, and fresh coriander leaves and spread them over the ragda patties. Add tamarind chutney and green chutney to make it more flavourful. Top it with a dash of creamy yoghurt for cooling respite and sev for the added crunch.
