Indians are unparalleled in their ability to make delicious Pani Puri. Although this recipe has many variations, the tanginess and spiciness of the Pani give each version its unique taste. The best way to enjoy this quintessential Indian street food is at roadside stalls or a restaurant. However, it may not be possible for everyone to have it. So, worry not! We bring you a perfect recipe to make Indian street-style pani puri at home, and that too with some of the very basic Ingredients. I recommend buying readymade puri from any Indian grocery store! Read below.
What is Pani Puri?
Before getting into the recipe, one must know what exactly pani puri is. Pani stands for ‘water’ while puri stands for ‘puffed and crispy deep-fried ball’. These balls are made with wheat flour or semolina-kneaded dough. In layman’s language, spicy and tangy water is filled inside the crispy puri, along with a spiced mashed potato mixture. This recipe has various names. For instance, golgappa, gup chup, puchka, poochkas, gupchup, and more - are unique to every region in the country. No matter what you call it, this snack is sure to be loved by all.
Ingredients
Puris: You can use homemade or store-bought. They are easily available in Indian grocery stores. Potato Filling:
Potato: I used 3 medium Yukon gold potatoes. I boiled them in Instant Pot. You can also use a stovetop pressure cooker to boil them. Onions: I used red onions. You can use any variety. Coriander: Use freshly chopped coriander leaves. Spices: roasted cumin powder, chaat masala, red chili powder, and salt
Pani:
Coriander Leaves: Use fresh coriander leaves. You can also use tender coriander stalks, as they add a lot of flavor. Mint Leaves: Mint adds a refreshing flavor and green color to the pani. But discard mint stems as they make the pani bitter. Do not use dried mint powder. Ginger: Use fresh ginger. Green Chilies: For heat and spiciness, adjust according to your preference. Lemon Juice: Use freshly squeezed lime/lemon juice for the best result. It gives a tangy taste to the pani. Ice Cubes: Adding 1-2 ice cubes while blending will keep the vibrant green color of the chutney because the heat from the blender causes herbs to turn darker. Spices: Roasted cumin powder, pani puri masala, hing, black salt, salt, and black pepper powder. Tamarind Pulp: Tamarind pulp adds a tangy and mild sour taste and balances the dish’s overall flavor. Soak 1 lemon-sized tamarind in ¼ cup of hot water for 15 minutes and extract its pulp. Jaggery: adds sweetness and balances the tanginess and spiciness of the pani. You can substitute it with refined sugar. Water: Water is used to make the base of the pani. Use the chilled water to make pani.
Extras and Toppings:
Onions: for extra crunch and flavor. Sweet Tamarind Chutney: You can add a little sweet chutney for added sweet and tangy flavor.
How to Make Pani Puri (Golgappa)
Prepare the Puri
I used store-bought poori in this recipe. You can also make these poori’s at home. I will share the recipe soon.
Prepare the Potato Filling
Add boiled and mashed potatoes, chopped onions, fresh coriander leaves, roasted cumin powder, chaat masala, red chili powder, and salt to a mixing bowl. Pani puri filling is ready. Keep it aside. If desired, add boiled black chickpeas and steamed sprouted moong to this mixture.
Prepare the Pani
In a blender, add coriander leaves, mint leaves, ginger, green chilies, lemon juice, ice cubes, and water. Blend until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more water if needed. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add roasted cumin powder, pani puri masala, hing, black salt, salt, black pepper powder, tamarind pulp, jaggery, and chilled water. Mix everything well. Pani is ready. When preparing pani puri, I personally prefer to filter the pani mixture. Use a strainer and carefully pour the pani into a container. Use a spoon or ladle and gently press down on the mixture to extract all the flavors. Add boondi now if you like soft boondi. If you like crispy boondi, then add it while serving.
Assemble and Serve
Place the puris on a serving plate or tray. Also, have the pani and potato mixture ready nearby. Take the puri in your hand and gently poke a hole using your thumb or a spoon for filling. Take some potato filling in a spoon and put it inside the puri. Dip the stuffed puri into the cold, tangy, spiced pani and enjoy. You can also pour the pani into each puri using a spoon or ladle. Add sweet tamarind chutney, too, if you like. Eat it soon as you make it. Otherwise, the puris will get soggy. Also, encourage everyone to have it in one bite.
Serving Suggestions
These snacks are best enjoyed in the evening when you want something tangy to satiate your taste buds. This recipe does not require anything to pair it with. Hence, it is self-sufficient.
Tips to Make the Best Pani Puri Recipe
Crispy Puris: Use fresh, crispy puri and not stale ones. Serve Chilled: You can either store the pani in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving or add a few ice cubes before serving. Serve Immediately: Make sure to serve the Pani puris as soon as they are assembled to get the best flavor and texture.
Variations
Fillings: You can make a variety of fillings such as ragda, sweet potato, sprouted moong, potato and black chana, avocado, or boondi. Toppings: You can top it with onions, sev, and more. Spicy Pani: If you want only teekha pani, skip adding tamarind and jaggery while making pani. But I highly recommend adding it gives a great flavor. You can adjust the sweetness according to your preference. Sweet Tamarind Chutney: In case you don’t have tamarind available, another option is to use sweet tamarind chutney as a substitute in your pani puri recipe. Also, make sure to skip adding jaggery in this case, as sweet chutney already has jaggery in it.
Storage Suggestions
Fridge: You can store the leftover potato mixture and pani for 1-2 days in the refrigerator and when stored in an airtight container. Freezer: You can also freeze the leftover paani in an airtight container in the freezer for 2-3 months. Just thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight when you are ready to use.
Other Indian Chaat Recipes
Dahi Puri Bhel Puri Sev Puri Avocado Papdi Chaat Boiled Peanut Chaat Makhana Bhel
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