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Pani Puri

Pani puri is a loud explosion of flavor and objectively, the best Indian street food. Pani puri brings people together with its tangy, refreshing water, spicy fillings, and fun assembly process.
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Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine Indian

Ingredients
  

  • 140 g puris *homemade or store bought (I use store-bought)

Homemade coriander-chili spice blend

  • 2 tbsp coriander seeds
  • 2 dry red chilis

Potato Pea Filling

  • 3 white potatoes, boiled
  • 1 cup cooked white peas *sub cooked chickpeas or canned chickpeas
  • salt to taste
  • ½ tsp kala namak (black salt)
  • 1 tsp spice blend (see above)
  • 1 tsp roasted cumin powder
  • 1 tsp chaat masala

Pani

  • 1 cup cilantro
  • ½ cup mint leaves
  • pinch of salt
  • 1-2 green chilis
  • 1 inch ginger
  • 1 lime
  • 6 cups water *you will have extra with this recipe
  • ~ 3 tbsp pani puri masala *this usually comes with the puris. sub chaat masala
  • ½ tbsp spice blend (see above)
  • 1 tsp roasted cumin powder *sub ground cumin
  • 1 tsp kala namak (black salt) + more to taste
  • 1 tsp chaat masala + more to taste

For dahi (yogurt) puris (optional)

  • unsweetened plant-based yogurt *if making dahi puris as well
  • tamarind chutney
  • sev (crispy chickpea snack)
  • roasted cumin powder

Instructions
 

  • Toast coriander seeds and dry red chilis on a pan until they release their aromas, so about 5 minutes. Process in a spice grinder or small food processor until coarsely ground.
  • Mash the potatoes and white peas together, so they are mostly smooth but still have some small chunks. Add salt and all the spices. Taste and adjust.
  • For the pani, process cilantro, mint, green chilis, ginger, salt, and juice from ½ a lime in a small food processor until smooth.
  • In a large bowl, add 6 cups of water. Add pani puri masala and stir with a large ladle. Add the homemade spice blend, roasted cumin powder, kala namak, chaat masala. Taste and add more kala namak, chaat masala, and lime juice as needed.
  • When you're satisfied with the pani, add some ice cubes or refrigerate it to keep it cold until eating the pani puris.
  • To assemble, lightly tap on the surface of a puri to create a small hole. Stuff with some of the potato pea filling. Add pani to reach the top. Put the entire puri in your mouth and enjoy!

Notes

*Recipe serves 2-6 because it depends on if they are eating as a side or as the main attraction.  
Keyword chaat, Indian food, Indian street food