Are you excited to learn about black chana chaat? Because we surely are! Black chana chaat is the ultimate healthy dish for snacks or in the middle of the day when you are feeling a little starved but it is not time yet for indulging in a meal. Even post-workout you can try out black chana chaat at home. It is refreshing, filling, and something to cherish this season!
Here are some tips that you should follow for making black chana chaat at home. If you are looking for something chatpata and twisty as a source of indulgence then here is what you need to try out.
What is black chana chaat
It is a blend of delicious and crunchy boiled chana tossed with lemon juice, black salt, and many more ingredients to give it a good zesty essence. You can add chopped onions, and tomatoes to it as a taste enhancer. Gluten-free and vegan, this makes your snack yummy, hearty, filling and of course healthy too! And did we mention it is oil-free?
White chickpeas have become so popular that we have almost forgotten about black chickpeas in the market. But let us tell you, a platter of black chickpeas chaat is also equally delicious and you are going to enjoy it. Kala chana is something you must have tried at home as a kid! Often our parents used to boil these for us. Served with sliced boiled potatoes, and some basic seasoning agents, we can guarantee you this can still win your heart.
Why should you make kala chana chaat?
There are plenty of reasons in our bag to convince you to have kala chana chaat! Being filling and healthy, you can have kala chana chaat for lunch as well as snacks. Having a busy day at work and finding no time to cook a proper meal? You can always rely on kala chana chaat to keep you company.
We already stated that kala chana chaat is gluten-free and a vegan dish that you can indulge in any time you want. This recipe is free from sugar and oil! No wonder you can have post-workout sessions when you are feeling starved and need some energy to keep you company.
How to process the kala chana
You should always begin with soaking the kala chana beforehand. It is best that you soak them overnight but just in case, you don't have the time, four hours is still a pretty good long enough duration to soak the lentil and turn the seed coat tender. You can use a crockpot to boil the chickpeas later on! This should not take you more than half an hour. If you do not find time to soak your peas at all, then you have to subject them to a pressure cooker for at least forty minutes. Once the chickpeas are done, all you need to do is assemble the ingredients on the plate and you are good to go.
Take a bowl and start with the mixing. The ingredients for a kala chana chaat are pretty basic! All you need are onions, tomatoes, chilis, cilantro, mint, and a whole lot of spices. You can choose to remove the pulpy portion of the tomatoes before adding chopped flesh to the chaat, as this creates an unwanted mushy effect.
To increase the nutritive value of the chaat, you can choose to add some boiled sweet potatoes and raw avocado to the dish as well. Finally, you can top it with some pomegranate arils if you like. Sometimes this kala chana chaat is also considered a salad and served as an appetizer at gatherings and meals. You can try it out! We are sure, your guests will appreciate the idea. As a salad, an appetizer, or even a meal in the afternoon, this chaat idea is simply brilliant.
And do you know what can escalate its taste even more? Yup, allow the chana chaat to sit in the refrigerator for a few hours before you serve. Cold kala chana chaat will be the highlights of your meal.
What are the spices and seasonings for kala chana chaat?
Making kala chana chaat is pretty easy! All you need is a few handfuls of seasonings to get it right! For example, you should marinate the chickpeas with cumin powder, amchur, red chili powder, salt, and so on. A dash of lime or lemon is equally important when you are making kala chana chaat. This gives it a zesty hint! The presence of pomegranate arils makes the chaat sweet and tangy at the same time.
So that is all about making kala chana chaat at home. Now that you know how it is done, enjoy it as and when you want to binge.