Green Peas (vatana) chaat

August 31, 2023

An Indian street food that is perfect as a snack, or a side. It’s also a healthy appetizer, full of protein and is low fat.

It’s always been a hit at parties and if you want to amp it up with minimal effort, serve it on a bed of crispy hash browns. Yum!

Ingredients to prepare the peas:

  • 1 cup Dried Green Peas (Vatana) , soaked for 5-6 hours
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 Bay leaves (tej patta)
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds (Saunf)
  • 1/2 white onion finely diced
  • 1 inch Ginger, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup tomatoes, diced small
  • 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder (Jeera)
  • 1 teaspoon amchur (Dry Mango Powder)
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder (Haldi)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
  • Salt, to taste
  • Lemon  juice from 1 large lemon

Ingredients for garnish:

  • 1 large red onion, finely diced
  • 1 medium tomato, finely diced
  • 2 inch ginger, cut into thin long strips
  • 1/4 cup cilantro/coriander leaves diced
  • Chat masala, to taste (optional)
  • Tamarind date chutney (optional)
  • Spicy garlic chutney (optional)
  • Yogurt (to drizzle) optional
  • Fine sev (available at Indian grocery stores)

Method:

  • Soak the dried green peas in 2 cups of water for 5-6 hours
  • Drain the water, and pressure cook the peas on high in 1.5 cups of water for 25 minutes
  • In a large flat bottomed vessel, heat the oil. When hot, add the bay leaves and fennel seeds. Let it splutter and then add the onions
  • Cook the onions for 2-3 minutes on medium heat until it is translucent.
  • Add the ginger and tomatoes and cook till the tomatoes are softened
  • Add the spices and let it cook for 3-4 minutes
  • Add the cooked peas to the mix, and stir. Cook on a slow flame for another 2-3 minutes
  • Add in the salt, lemon juice, stir. Turn off the heat
  • In a serving plate, if serving with hash browns, layer the hash browns with the pea mixture. Sprinkle onions, tomatoes, cilantro and the other garnishes. Enjoy!
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