Pani Puri / Gol Gappa (Indian Street Food)

If you haven't had the Mumbai's Pani Puri, you really are missing something amazing! Pani Puri or Gol Gappa (as they call in Delhi) is one of the most popular street foods in India. Ever since I learned how to make it so easily at home, I've stopped grazing on the Mumbai streets. ;-)

I've borrowed this recipe from my Mother. Her traditional recipes are mouth-watering! I've decided to learn her secrets in the next few months. I can always attempt the other cuisines any time I want!


Take a look -

So, let us understand what a Pani Puri really is.
- There is a Puri/Puchka. Its a fried goodie.You'll find it in most Indian stores. But in case you're unable to find it, you may very well make it at home before-hand. Read about making the Puri at home.
- Filling can be either Ragda {Read here} or just sprouts, boiled & mashed potatoes etc.
- According to your taste, you can add or leave out the sweet tamarind chutney / sweet tamarind-dates chutney.
- Of course, the Pani (means water). It is made up of Mint leaves & other spices. It forms the main part pf Pani Puri.

Ingredients
For the Mint Pani (flavored Mint water)
Mint leaves - 1 cup (150 grams)
Coriander leaves - 1/2 cup (80 grams)
Green chillies - 3-4 chopped
Ginger - 1 inch (optional)
Salt - as per taste (2 teaspoons)

For the Sweet Chutney
Click here.
Add warm water to the thick paste & make it into pouring consistency.

For the Filling
Make the Ragda before itself.
Other than Ragda, you can stuff it with boiled & mased potatoes, boiled sprouts & onions etc.

Method
For the Mint Water
1. In a blender, add the Mint, Coriander, Green Chilis, Salt & ginger (optional) and grind well to form a thick & smooth paste. This can be stored for 2-3 days.
2. If you want to make 1 glass of Pani Puri's liquid, add about 2 tablespoons of this thick paste, fill the rest with ice cold water, add some Chaat Powder (if you don't have, add some black salt & pepper), 1/2 teaspoon chili powder if you want it spicy & mix well. I don't like even a tiny leaf particle to come in my moth. So after mixing it all together & adjusting the salt, I just run it through a filter/sieve to separate the coarse leaf particles
*** If you don't want to go through all this process, you can buy the ready-made Pani Puri Masala from you store. {CHECK AD} All you have to do is mix the powder with some ice cold water & you're good to go! :-)

No step by step pics, Sorry! ☺

ASSEMBLING IT ALL TOGETHER :
So, once we have everything it place, all we have to do is bring it all together. This is how a street vendor would give me a Pani Puri.
A. Get a small plate & arrange the Puris

B. Crack a small hole on the Puri.

C. Add a spoonful of Ragda (or any other like Mashed Potatoes + Salt filling) in it.

D. Dip it in the liquified sweet chutney. (Skip it if you want spicy. If you want really sweet - dip more into it)

E. Finally, dip it into the Mint-Water & immediately eat!!!

Yummmmmmmmmmmm!!!!! :-)