Bhelpuri

Photo: flickr user stu_spivack

Ingredients

Puffed Rice or

1 ctn Rice Krispies

1 pkt Bhel mix or Sev

2 cups Mashed boiled potatoes (mashed coarsely and then salted)

cup Chopped fresh coriander leaves (a.k.a Chin

3 tablespoons Freshly roasted and ground cumin

to taste Green chilies

2 tablespoons Freshly ground black pepper

to taste Tamarind

to taste Jaggery (or Brown Sugar)

1 cup Chopped onions

Preparation

Method:Warning:This recipe is directed at those who know what Bhelpuri tastes like, quantities mentioned are approximate, proportions are left to the reader's taste. Purists will have to go to an Indian grocery shop.

Deviationists may use substitutes. The most important thing is to keep the puffed rice-sev mixture crisp by not adding the other ingredients to it until it is served. This should be done on the plate.

First boil the potatoes, mash them, salt them, and add pepper to taste.

Add some coriander leaves too.

Roast the cumin and grind it.

Dissolve about 4 Tbsp of tamarind concentrate in 1 cup of hot water, and let it simmer and thicken gradually. Dissolve the jaggery (or sugar)

Until the sauce becomes tart and slightly sweet. (You may add some salt and ground red paprika, if you want to.) The sauce should be of a consistency slightly thinner than maple syrup. Pour into a serving container (like a creamer). Mix the puffed rice and sev/bhel mix in a large bowl.

On a plate, serve the rice-bhel mixture, add the potatoes, then the onions, chilies, and then dust the cumin powder over it. Next pour on the sauce and top with the coriander garnish. (Add salt/pepper to taste).

Mix the ingredients on the plate and eat.