Boondi Raita with a Twist

Ingredients

• 1 cup (120g) chickpea flour 1 cup (120g) chickpea flour
• 1 cup (240ml) plain yogurt 1 cup (240ml) plain yogurt
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin powder 1/4 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1/4 teaspoon coriander powder 1/4 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/4 teaspoon chaat masala 1/4 teaspoon chaat masala
• 1/4 teaspoon black salt 1/4 teaspoon black salt
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/4 cup (60ml) water 1/4 cup (60ml) water
• Oil for frying Oil for frying

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 150 kcal / 628 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 5g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 8g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.8g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a mixing bowl, combine chickpea flour, water, and a pinch of salt to make a smooth batter.
2. 2.
   Heat oil in a deep pan for frying. Using a perforated ladle or a boondi maker, drop small portions of the batter into the hot oil.
3. 3.
   Fry the boondi until golden and crispy. Remove from oil and drain on a paper towel.
4. 4.
   In a separate bowl, whisk the yogurt until smooth. Add cumin powder, coriander powder, chaat masala, black salt, salt, sugar, and lemon juice. Mix well.
5. 5.
   Add the fried boondi to the yogurt mixture and gently mix until the boondi is well coated.
6. 6.
   Finally, add chopped mint leaves and cilantro leaves. Mix gently.
7. 7.
   Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
8. 8.
   Serve chilled and garnish with a sprinkle of chaat masala and a few mint leaves.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chickpea flour — Ensure that the batter is smooth and free of lumps to achieve crispy boondi. Adjust the water quantity as needed to achieve the right consistency.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra crunch, you can add a handful of roasted peanuts or cashews to the raita.
• Adjust the spices according to your taste preferences. You can increase or decrease the amount of cumin powder, coriander powder, and chaat masala.
• If you prefer a smoother texture, you can blend the yogurt mixture before adding the boondi.
• To make it more indulgent, drizzle a teaspoon of tamarind chutney or mint chutney on top before serving.
• If you don't have chaat masala, you can substitute it with a pinch of garam masala.

Serving advice

Boondi Raita with a Twist is best served chilled as a side dish alongside spicy curries, biryanis, or even as a dip with crispy papadums. It adds a refreshing and cooling element to the meal, balancing out the flavors and providing a creamy texture.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, garnish the raita with a sprinkle of chaat masala and a few fresh mint leaves. Serve it in a decorative bowl or individual serving bowls to make it visually appealing.