Shakarpara bhel

This is one of my favourite things to make…. quick, simple and absolutely delicious. It has all the components of a bhel – a street food classic that is sweet, spicy, tangy, basically a party in your mouth. But makes away with the need to make a sweet chutney, a spicy one and a red-hot garlic one. And that surely saves a lot of time, don’t you think?

Bhel is an iconic street food in Mumbai, you will find it everywhere, be it in a in a high-end restaurant or on a stall by the street. My favourite is of course the one which is sold by the street vendors for its flavour and the theater. It is captivating to see how efficiently the vendor would mix the puffed rice, sev (crunchy deep-fried noodles made of chickpea flour), boiled potato, finely chopped onions with the right amount of chutney from varied size steel containers. Bits and pieces of tangy raw mango and finely chopped coriander would complete the theater of whipping up a delicious portion of bhel which would be then served in a paper cup made out of a newspaper. Relishing every mouthful of that bhel with a puri (a fried cracker) in lieu of the spoon is something you won’t forget.

But that is Mumbai bhel. However, many variations of equally mouthwatering bhel can be found across different states in India, each unique in its concoction of textures and flavours. But no matter what combinations are used, the secret of a perfect bhel is in its blend of spices or chutney that brings the mix together.

And that is why I call this Shakarpara bhel (bite sized sweet fried snack) as my ‘quick fix’ bhel as it does away with the need to make three chutney – the crucial elements of a Mumbai bhel. Shakarpara gives sweetness while the spicy boondi (salty-spicy round chickpea flour balls) adds that layer of heat. Bringing these together with the addition of pomegranate pearls and a lemony or a garlicky sev makes for a winning dish. You can use either the leftover Diwali snacks for this bhel or use store bought packs – either way it would be lip smacking delicious.

If you loved this quick recipe, do have a look at some of the following recipes on the blog which are equally quick and easy.

1. 5 ingredient no bake lemon-posset tart
2. Palak paneer sandwich
3. Eggless chocolate orange mug cake
4. 10 minute jowar-bajra dosa
5. Spinach and pear salad with peach-lime dressing
6. Vegetarian Vietnamese rice crepes