Aromatic spices such as cumin, coriander seeds, and peppercorns are essential components of chaat masala. These spices bring out the depth of flavor that is so characteristic of this spice blend. To get the most flavor from these spices, it is best to toast them lightly in a skillet before grinding them into a powder.Chaat masala powder is a blend of spices originating from the Indian subcontinent. It is typically used as a topping for savory snacks like chaat, which is a type of street food popular in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Black salt, also known as Kala Namak, is an essential ingredient in chaat masala. The unique flavor of black salt is what gives this spice blend its distinct tangy taste. Black salt is readily available in most grocery stores and online. If you can't find it, you can substitute it with regular salt, but the flavor will not be the same.The exact ingredients vary depending on the region, but the spice mix typically contains cumin, coriander, black pepper, asafoetida, and chili peppers. The spice blend can also be used to flavor other dishes like dal tadka and curry.
Experiment with making your own chaat masala blend by combining different spices according to your taste preferences. Common ingredients include cumin, coriander, black salt, dry mango powder, black pepper, and dried mint leaves. Check out the recipe card for ingredient quantities and instructions.If you prefer your chaat masala to be on the spicier side, add red chili powder or cayenne pepper to the blend. This will give your dishes an extra kick and heat.
In South India, a variation of chaat masala known as "Podi" is popular. It typically contains roasted lentils, red chilies, asafoetida, and other spices. This version is often sprinkled on idlis, dosas, and other South Indian snacks.Punjabi-style chaat masala tends to have a stronger flavor profile and is commonly used in street food dishes like aloo tikki, chole bhature, and papdi chaat. It often includes additional spices like ajwain (carom seeds) and kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves).
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Wash, peel, and cut the vegetables into 1-inch (2.5cm) pieces. Put each set of chopped vegetables into its own cooking pouch. Divide the oil and fresh herbs among the cooking pouches and add salt and pepper before vacuum sealing each pouch.Arrange the pouches in a cooking rack in the water oven.