What happens when you eat Dabeli ?
It goes to Da-beli!(The Belly)Jokes apart , Here is one of the most loved snacks of Kutch , Gujarat. It is said that it was invented by Keshavji Gabha Chudasama in 1960s . Dabeli comes from the word 'Dabna' which is the act of pressing . Essentially the potato is stuffed or pressed into a pav or bun . This is very popular as all in one snack- sour, sweet, spicy and crunchy all at once.
The dabeli masala is spicy dry-paste made from dried red chillies, black pepper powder, dried coconut, salt, clove, cinnamon, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, star anise turmeric, cardamom, bay leaves, black-salt, and other spices.
The potato filling cooked in dabeli masala is garnished with sev, pomegranate seeds and roasted peanuts which add the crunch.The essence of the dabeli are the chutneys: the sour and sweet tamarind-date chutney and the fiery chutney made of red chillies and garlic.
Lets get started with the recepie
Ingredients
For Dabeli masala powder ( Can use available powder in the market )
Fennel seed - 1 tsp
Dry coconut - 2 tbs
Cumin seed- 1 tbs
Coriander seed- 2 tbs
Black pepper - 8
Dry ginger - 1/2 inch
Bay leaf- 1
Cloves - 5
Sesame seed - 1 tbs
nut mug - 1/8 portion
star anise- 1
Sugar - 1 tbs
Cinnamon stick - 1/2 inch
salt - 1 tbs
turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
Red Chilli powder - 1 tbs
Dry red Chilli- 1 tbs
Dry mango powder - 1 tsp For Tamarind Chutney
Tamarind pulp - 1/2 cup
Red Chilli Powder- 1 tsp
Sugar - 2tsp
Salt - 1 tsp
Water
For Chilli Garlic Chutney
Garlic cloves - 25 gm
Dry red chillies( soak in water for 15 min)
Roasted peanuts - 1/6 cup
Lemon juice - 1 tbs
Salt to taste
Red Chilli powder to taste- 1/2 tsp Aloo masala
Boiled and mashed potato - 4
Dabeli masala- 3 tbsp
Red Chilli powder- 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Cooking oil - 2 tbs
Tamarind chutney - 2 tbs
Water - 4 tbsp Masala Peanuts ( Can use available masala peanuts in the market )
Roasted peanuts - 1/2 cup
Cooking oil - 1 tbs
Dabeli masala powder - 1 tsp
Chat masala - 1/2 tsp
salt to taste Final Filling tips
Finely chopped Onions
Pomegranate seeds
Finely chopped coriander leaves
Pav or bun should be heated on tawa with ghee or butter Instructions :
For Dabeli Powder :
In a pan mix all the spices and fry it for about 8-10 seconds . Switch off the gas and let it cool for a while . Once the spices are cool blend them in a mixer . Blend the spices to a fine powder . With that our Dabeli masala powder is ready . ( Note : You can make use of the powder that is available in the market )
For Preparing Tamarind Chutney :
Bring tamarind, red chilli powder, jeera powder, sugar, salt and water to boil . Turn off the gas once it starts to become thick . With this our sweet chutney is ready. Let the chutney to cool .
For Preparing Chilli Garlic Chutney :
Soak dry red chillies for 8-10 minutes. In a blender grind the soaked chillies, garlic cloves , roasted peanuts, lemon juice, salt and red chilli powder . Our garlic chilli chutney is ready.
Masala Peanut :
Can use the ready made pack available in the market. If preparing at home add oil in a pan after 2-3 seconds add peanuts, dabeli powder, chat masala. salt to taste and fry it for 3-5 minutes .
For Preparing Aloo Masala:
In a pan add 2 tsp oil and pealed and mashed potatoes . To this add the dabeli , red chilli, salt , tamarind chutney and water . Mix them well for 2-3 minutes .
With the above preparation , we are all ready to stuff the pav or bun . Keep all the prepared chutneys and masalas in a bowl. First apply red chilli garlic chutney and tamarind inside the pav or bun . Now add the aloo masala . Most important ingredient here is pomegranate and sev. After the aloo masala add some finely chopped onions , pomegranates and sav. Repeat the aloo masala layer and pomegranate , onion and sav layers. It is ready to be served . I know it looks like a energy drainer recepie . But, trust me once you prepare you'll be on cloud nine . It is worth all the efforts . Try and let me know in the comment section.