Chat up with chaat masala!

When you say chaat, can chaat masala be far behind? Having spent a considerable part of my childhood in the city of Meerut, I had grown up with the taste of chaat ingrained on my tongue. In the era of fast foods chaat is a favourite with most people. It is not only quick to assemble, it can be made quite wholesome and healthy too. Needless to say that chaats are superbly tasty, which is why they are so popular, right?

Quintessential to Indian food

Chaat masala is indeed an essential traditional Indian spice mix that is a part of almost every household. And fortunately readymade chaat masala is easily available everywhere. In fact, it is being exported too and even the foreign palates have started appreciating its tangy taste. But you can make it at home too for it has ingredients that are an integral part of our masala box. 

Why chaat masala

What exactly is chaat masala? And where did it get the name from? Chaat in Hindi literally means licking. And when do you indulge in licking your fingers? When the food is so very tasty you just cannot help savouring its taste to the last lick.

Chaat masala is chatpata...which is exactly what Indian food is. It is a delicious blend of teekha, meetha, khatta and namkeen. A sprinkle here and there helps elevate the food to a different level.

The mention of chaat masala takes me back to my childhood, when I used to spread some homemade butter over leftover rotis, sprinkle chaat masala generously on them, roll them up and savour them whenever hunger pangs hit me at odd times. Similarly you can sprinkle them on freshly cut fruits or salad vegetables or even blanched sprouts and enjoy the heavenly taste.

That is not all you can sprinkle this wonder powder over dahi wadas, various kababs, bhajias and even tandoori chicken. As I am writing this my mouth is watering and I just cannot wait to enjoy its superb taste. 

A quick analysis

What is it about chaat masala that makes you break into a jig the moment it touches your tongue? It is probably the wonderful flavour of roasted cumin, or the delicious tanginess of dried mango powder or better still the flavour of black salt that gives it that unusual zing. 

The best thing about chaat masala is perhaps the fact that it can be used before or after cooking, and sprinkled as a garnish. 

Recommended recipes-

Palak Pakora Chaat in Chinese Style,  Matar Ka Chaat,  Anda Papdi Chaat,  Rasgulla Chaat,  Green Pea Tikki Chaat,  Popcorn Bhel,  Double Dhamaka Chicken Chaat,  Aloo Chaat Dilli Style,  Katori Chaat,  Moong Dal Puri Chaat,