Healthy Bhel puri- Tomato free, Chilli free

Last week my sister, her kids (aged 8 and 5), sister-in-law were all visiting us. In the evening I made this modified version of Bombay bhel. Though it didn't contain green/red chilly, tomato, deep fried sev, everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. My nephew enjoyed assembling the chat and passing it over to all of us to eat.

Here is how I made the chat.

You will need( for about 6 people)

Bhel or puffed rice about 250 g

For the sweet red chutney/ sweet sauce

1/2 tablespoon tamarind pulp/paste

1 fistful of deseeded dates

1 fistful of jaggary

Peppercorns 1/4 tsp (powdered)

Salt about a teaspoon/to taste

1/4 cup water

For the green chutney or green sauce

1 fistful coriander leaves/cilantro

1/2 fistful Pudina/mint leaves

A piece of green capsicum

A piece of ginger

6-10 peppercorns

2 cloves of garlic(if large)

For garnishing

1 medium sized onion finely chopped/minced

1 small green capsicum finely chopped/minced

1 small red capsicum (or a piece) finely chopped/minced

1 fistful coriander leaves and Pudina/mint leaves finely chopped/minced

Pinch of garam masala or chat masala made at home without chilly.

A cup of roasted peanuts or any nut of your choice

Khakra 

Method

Sweet red chutney

Grind all the ingredients for sweet red chutney and add to boiling water. Keep stirring and let the sauce thicken and turn translucent. Keep it aside and let it cool to room temperature.

Green Chutney

Blend all the ingredients mentioned under the green chutney to a paste without adding water and keep aside.

These go into the green chutney

 Bhel, vegetables, green chutney, red chutney, roasted  peanut ready to assemble

Assembling

In a plate sprinkle a tablespoon of  finely chopped vegetables, 1 crushed Khakra, 1 teaspoon peanuts, a teaspoon green chutney , a cup of puffed rice, 1 tsp or more of red chutney and top it with a pinch of chat/ garam masala. Serve immediately.

To eat
Carefully mix all the ingredients in the plate and enjoy a healthy snack!


Note: I didn't know there were two varieties of puffed rice. One is the thicker variety and the other a thinner variety which almost instantly absorbs the liquids and turns soggy. Out of the two packs I picked in a hurry from the supermarket, one turned out to be the second variety and I was surprised how one set of bhel turned soggy soon after assembling. Later my sister- in- law pointed the difference to me.

Though I have not added chillies, the chat tasted hot and spicy due to the raw onions.

You can alter the order and  proportions of the vegetables, chutney, nuts, Khakra, as per the persons liking.