I give it to Mumbai for its versatile food available here. From the roadside Bhel to the most happening molecular gastronomy, everything is available in Mumbai, and the entire city is almost a foodie savouring different cuisines through the year – Bohri, Parsi, Gujarathi, Maharashtrian, Udupi, Continental, Rajasthani, Marwari, Italian — the works.
I was to post something else today and despite being scheduled, my heart chose this very simple but lip smacking Khakhra Channa Bhel I had many years ago outside a suburban station (could be Borivili, but my memory fails me). I still recall the small stall that the vendor had set up in a small basket, and people were flocking around him day and night. I declined to venture out for the first two days, but the 3rd day curiosity got the better of me and when I asked him, he said he was making Bhel.
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| Gilla Khakhra Bhel or the wet version of Bhel |
I wondered what was so special about it, and then he said Khakhra Channa Bhel ! One bite and I was sold :-)) I havent seen anyone selling this now, but my friend tells me something similar is being sold inside the mumbai suburban trains (yeah there are food vendors ON the running train and they hop on , hop off between stations making the most of the evening snack time to make a quick buck)
Khakhras are wafer thin crispy papad kind of flatbreads which are flavoured. These are eaten as is or with the evening cup of tea. There must be at least 20-25 varieties of Khakhras that are sold in Mumbai / Gujarat with flavours ranging from Methi (fenugreek) to Pav Bhaji to Punjabi Masala to wholewheat to Low fat to Vada Pav Masala to Jawari to Palak (spinach) to Dabeli Masala and many many more ! (And again made with Wholewheat flour, Moong dal flour, or even a mix of these)..
There are TWO varieties presented today with almost the same ingredients: One is a wet version of the bhel (called Gilla Bhel) and one is called Sookha Bhel (Sookha means Dry).Even with the regular Bhel Puri in Mumbai, some people prefer one of the two varieties (talk about customisation!!)
Some varieties of Khakhra (Picture credit : here)
If you have all the ingredients ready, this takes less than 5 mins to assemble and do remember to serve this immediately. Lets get to see how to make this.
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| Sookha Khakhra Bhel |
Zero cook ; Serves : 2
- Khakhra (spicy flattened toasted breads) – 4 nos ( I used the Pav Bhaji variety here)
- Murumura / puffed rice – 1 cup
- Salt – to taste
- Boiled Chickpeas (black or white variety) – slightly salted – as required
- Finely chopped green chillies – 1 no.
- Minced Onion – 1/2 no (opt.)
- Grated or finely chopped raw mango
- Green Chutney – to taste
- Meetha Chutney (Dates – Tamarind chutney) – to taste
- Chaat Masala – to taste
- Sev / Ompudi – to top
- Finely chopped coriander leaves
Additional Addons for Gilla Bhel (wet version)
- Finely chopped tomatoes
- Roasted Cumin powder
- Boiled and lightly crushed Potatoes
- Finely chopped cucumber
Method for Sookha Bhel
- Crush the Khakhra and add the puffed rice and salt to taste. Mix well.
- Add all other ingredients as per taste, toss once and serve immediately topped with Sev.
To make Gilla Bhel:
- Process as same, except add more chutneys and Chickpeas,
- Add a handful of finely chopped tomatoes, Chaat Masala, cuucmber, Jeera powder, boiled potatoes, mix really well and top with Coriander leaves + Sev.
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That is a great one, Kalyani. You are definitely on roll here!! I have some khakhras in my snack cabinet. Shall make it right away!!
I can finish a pack of khakhara in a go. Khakhara in bhel sounds yum!! This must give it a nice crunch. Have to try this next time I pick it up.
I have never had a khakhra bhel on the streets but when I was on a strict diet I used to make it , minus the sev. But now will try this version , looks very inviting . Subah subah chat , wah kya baat hai ????
You are rocking this chat series Kalyani. Never heard of this bhel before but it looks super inviting.
Khakhra chaat sounds wonderful, going by the ingredients. Will try it out soon.
Khakhra in Bhel sounds inviting,will try it for sure.You pictures make me drool..
Khakhra in Bhel sounds inviting,will try it for sure.You pictures make me drool..
Omg, this khakhra channa bhel looks super delicious and tempting. Cant wait to give a try soon.
great idea to use khakras.. will try this out. 🙂
I have to travel to Mumbai sometime to taste all the street food. The khakhra bhel sounds really interesting.
Such a wonderful one there!!! I never heard of this dish, though my aunt makes a chivda with khakra and papad. This looks delicious!
Looks yum and sounds delicious Kalyani. I want some of this now. But eating it alone is not much of fun. I want my girls to be able to eat it so will make it when they are better.
khakra bhel is pretty cool idea…especially the chana additin to this…
What a crispy and flavorful chaat that is Kalyani. Looks so inviting.
That is really some snack!..wonderful to dig in and sounds fantastic…my older twin loves khakhras with podi, must make this way for him..
Your post is making me miss Mumbai more. Look at the twist, you are a Banglorean settled in Mumbai and I am a Mumbaite settled in B'lore. God! I miss the street food and local trains and the vendors on the local trains and the rains and the Ganpati festival and everything about it.
Too much digressing but this khakhra Bhel looks fabulous….must try making it soon!
This is one of the nostalgic street food for me. We used to have this chaat on our way to nani's house in trains.Looks tasty.
That chat looks so sinful kalyani!!! My BIL is from Mumbai and recently shifted to chennai, he misses the chat more than anything else in this world!!! he is not able to tolerate the cost here in chennai and top of it , he feels he doesn't get the variety for the money he is paying!! Poor fellow!! With all the chat posts from you girls, i can understand what he is missing!! 🙂