Dabeli.

Dabeli

If Vada Pav can drive crowds crazy in Bombay , Hot dogs and burger fans are all around the world , then Dabeli can be a strong contender in the race for snacks On-The-Go. Dabeli , I assume , originated from Gujarat and has not only made a marked there but is also famous in Mumbai.

Ingredients : (Makes 4)

1 cup boiled mashed potato , Salt to taste ,

1/2 tspn red chilly powder , 2 tbspn Dabeli Masala (store bought) , Oil ,

1/2 tspn cumin , 4 Pav (You may use burger buns too) ,

Sweet n sour tamarind and dates chutney , green spicy chutney ,

Fine Sev , 2 tbspn roasted peeled peanuts , Cilantro to garnish ,

finely chopped onion , Butter to roast Dabeli

Optional pomegranate , grapes cut in halves.

Procedure :
Heat a tbspn oil in a pan and add cumin . After a little spluttering add mashed potato followed by salt to taste , dabeli masala , red chilly powder and couple tbspn water and mix well. Take it of the heat and let cool. Water is added to make of the consistency of peanut butter so that it easily spreads on the buns.

The order of assembly of the Dabeli is as follows :

1. Spread little tamarind chutney and green chutney on the bottom half of the Pav.

2. Then a thin layer of the potato masala .

3. Again drizzle little sweet and spicy chutneys.

4. Sprinkle roasted peanuts and pomegranate or grapes.

5. Repeat step 2.

6. Finely chopped onions and cilantro. Place the top half of the Pav to ensure the mixture stays in place.

Once the assembly is done. You just have to butter the top and bottom surface of the Pav and place it on a Tava on a medium high heat just until it crisps up. The open edges of the Pav are dipped in fine Sev just before you serve.

To Make Dabeli Masala at home :

Ingredients : 1 red chilly , 1 teaspoon coriander (dhania) seeds , 1/2" (12 mm.) stick cinnamon , 2 cloves , 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera) ,1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds (badishop)
Procedure : Roast all the ingredients in a pan for 2 to 3 minutes. Grind to a fine powder in a blender. Use as required.