Introduction:

 

Ah, the joy of indulging in street food! It's not just about satisfying hunger; it's about the experience, the excitement, and the burst of flavors in every bite. My journey with street food led me to discover one of India's most beloved snacks - Pani Puri. I remember the first time I tasted these little flavor bombs; it was on a busy street corner, surrounded by the tantalizing aromas of spices and chutneys. The crisp puris filled with tangy water and flavorful potato mixture left me craving for more. Since then, Pani Puri has become more than just a snack for me; it's a nostalgic reminder of those carefree moments spent exploring the vibrant streets of India.

 

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Recipe of Street Style Pani Puri

 

Ingredients:

 

For Puri:

• Wheat flour: 1 cup
• Suji (fine semolina): 1 cup
• Baking powder: a pinch
• Salt: ½ tsp
• Water: as required
• Oil: for deep frying

For Pani Puri Masala:

• Jeera (cumin seeds): 2 tbsp
• Black pepper: 1 tsp
• Dry red chilli: 2 pcs
• Salt: ½ tsp
• Black salt: ½ tsp
• Dry ginger powder: 1 tsp
• Amchur powder: 2 tsp
• Tatri powder/citric powder: ½ tsp

For Flavoured Pani:

• Mint leaves: a handful
• Coriander: a handful
• Green chilli: 1 pc
• Ginger: 1 inch piece
• Black salt: ½ tsp
• Pani puri masala: 1 tbsp
• Ice: 6-7 cubes
• Water: as required
• Mithi chutney: 3-4 tbsp
• Hing (asafoetida): a pinch
• Lemon juice: 1 tbsp
• Boondi: ½ cup

For Stuffing:

• Potato, boiled: 2 pcs
• Safed matar (white dry peas): ½ cup
• Pani puri masala: ½ tbsp
• Black salt: ½ tsp
• Coriander, chopped: 1 tbsp

 

 

Method:

 

For Puri:

1. Mix wheat flour, suji, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Add water gradually and knead into a tight dough.
2. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
3. Roll the dough into a cylindrical shape and cut it into 2 cm-sized pieces. Roll each piece into oval-shaped puris.
4. Heat oil in a deep pan and deep fry the puris until crispy and brown. Set aside.

Pani Puri Masala:

1. Roast jeera, black pepper, and dry red chillies in a pan.
2. Grind the roasted ingredients along with salt, black salt, dry ginger powder, amchur powder, and tatri powder into a fine powder. Set aside.

Pani Puri Stuffing:

1. In a bowl, mix diced boiled potatoes, boiled safed matar, black salt, pani puri masala, and chopped coriander. Set aside.

For Flavoured Pani:

1. Blend mint leaves, coriander, green chilli, ginger, black salt, pani puri masala, ice cubes, and water in a mixer jar.
2. Divide the mixture into two separate bowls.

Spicy Pani:

1. In one bowl of the mixture, add black salt, pani puri masala, hing, lemon juice, chilled water, and boondi. Mix well.

Mitha Pani:

1. In the other bowl of the mixture, add black salt, pani puri masala, mithi chutney, lemon juice, chilled water, and boondi. Mix well.

Assembly:

1. Gently crack open a puri from the top center.
2. Add some potato stuffing inside the puri.
3. Dip it into the mithi chutney.
4. Fill the puri with your desired flavoured pani – either the spicy one or the mitha one.
5. Serve immediately and enjoy the burst of flavors!

 

 

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About the Recipe:

 

Street Style Pani Puri, also known as Golgappa or Puchka, is a popular Indian street food snack consisting of hollow, crispy puris filled with a spicy and tangy water, along with a flavorful potato and chickpea mixture. It is typically served as a light and refreshing snack, perfect for enjoying during hot summer days or as a quick bite on the go. Pani Puri is not just a dish; it's an experience that brings people together, creating memories that last a lifetime.

 

 

Cooking Tips:

 

1. Prepare the puris fresh or use store-bought ones for convenience. Ensure they are crispy and hollow to hold the filling and pani.
2. Adjust the spiciness and tanginess of the pani according to your preference by adding more or less green chutney, tamarind chutney, and spices.
3. The potato and chickpea mixture should be well-seasoned with spices like chaat masala, cumin powder, and black salt for maximum flavor.
4. Serve the pani chilled and the puris warm for the best taste and texture.
5. Customize the filling by adding ingredients like boiled moong sprouts, boondi, or nylon sev for added texture and flavor.

 

 

Pairing Guide:

 

Pani Puri pairs well with a variety of accompaniments, including sweet tamarind chutney, spicy green chutney, and tangy tamarind water. It can be enjoyed as a standalone snack or paired with other street food favorites like bhel puri, sev puri, and dahi puri for a complete street food feast.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Street Style Pani Puri:

 

1. What is Pani Puri? Pani Puri is a popular Indian street food snack consisting of hollow, crispy puris filled with spicy and tangy water (pani) and a flavorful potato and chickpea mixture.

2. What are the key ingredients used in making Pani Puri? The key ingredients used in making Pani Puri include puris, boiled potatoes, boiled chickpeas, green chutney, tamarind chutney, spices like chaat masala and cumin powder, and flavored water (pani) made with mint, coriander, and spices.

3. How do you eat Pani Puri? To eat Pani Puri, gently crack open a puri, fill it with the potato and chickpea mixture, dip it into the flavored water (pani), and then enjoy it in one bite.

4. Is Pani Puri spicy? The spiciness of Pani Puri can be adjusted according to personal preference by controlling the amount of green chutney and spices added to the water and filling.

5. Can I make Pani Puri at home? Yes, Pani Puri can be easily made at home using store-bought puris or by preparing them from scratch. The filling and flavored water can also be prepared using simple ingredients available in most kitchens.

6. Can I customize the filling for Pani Puri? Yes, you can customize the filling for Pani Puri by adding ingredients like boiled moong sprouts, boondi, nylon sev, or grated carrots for added flavor and texture.

7. Is Pani Puri vegetarian? Yes, Pani Puri is a vegetarian snack as it does not contain any meat or animal-derived ingredients. It is made using plant-based ingredients like puris, potatoes, chickpeas, and spices.

8. What are the different variations of Pani Puri available? Some popular variations of Pani Puri include Ragda Puri, where the potato filling is replaced with spicy white peas curry, and Dahi Puri, where the puris are filled with yogurt, chutneys, and spices.

9. Can I make Pani Puri ahead of time? While it's best to assemble and eat Pani Puri immediately.

 

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