Masala Puri | Masal Puri - Karnataka Spl Street Food

Masal Puri as it is coloquially called is a street food which originated in Karnataka and famous across the southern states of Tamil Nadu,Kerala , Andhra and slowly gaining popularity with street food Lovers . Masala Puri can be called as a close cousin of Ragda Puri which is another popular street snack served in Bombay where the ragda is prepared using Yellow dried peas. 

The speciality of Masal Puri is the tasty Masala which is prepared  by soaking the dry green peas and the cooking it with a blend of spices.  This piping hot spicy masala is poured over crushed puris and garnished with some sweet and spicy chutneys along with chopped onions , tomatoes, grates carrots and finally and handful of crunchy mixture /farsan is spread over the chaat and served.  

The melange of flavors and the warm masala over the crunchy puris which have become partly soggy is a feast to the taste buds and you must eat it atleast once to know what it feels like .

Doesn't all this description get you drooling and make you want to have a bite right away ?

Well, worry not with a little pre preparation you can prepare this lip-smacking Masal Puri at home and enjoy with your family and friends. 

Some of the famous lip-smacking street food recipes on my blog which you would love to try 

Masala Papad 

Frankie / Aloo Roll 

Bhelpuri - Mumbai Style 

Cheese Grill Sandwich 

Pani Puri 

Pav Bhaji 

What are the main elements that go into Masal Puri ? 

• Masala made using soaked green peas . There can be many ways to do this, but I will share the recipe which we all like at home and is closest to what we have had food joints . You can make your permutations and combinations by adjusting the spice levels or even use mixed sprouts instead of just soaked green peas .
• Pani Puris to be crushed and use while preparing Masal Puri.
• Chutneys  - Green chutney and Sweet Chutney 
• Finely chopped onions, tomatoes ,cucumbers and some grated carrots .Skip onion for the satvik version
• Handful of spicy mixture of farsan and some roasted groundnuts 

Soaking Time - 8 to 10 hrs 

Preparation Time - 20 mins 

Cooking Time - 40 mins

Complexity -  Simple 

Ingredients 

100 gms soaked dry green peas

1 medium size potato  boiled and peeled

2 medium tomatoes chopped 

1 small cucumber chopped 

1 small carrot peeled and grated 

1 medium onion finely chopped (optional)

1 cup spicy mixture or farsan

10 to 15 fried pani puris (or as much as you need)

2 tsp garam masala powder

1/2 tsp red chilli powder 

1 tsp dhaniya powder

Salt as needed

Finely chopped coriander

2 tsp oil 

1/2 tsp jeera 

2 green chillies finely chopped 

Finely chopped ginger 

Method 

How to prepare the Masala ?

• Pressure cook the soaked green peas with some salt until it is soft and slightly mushy.
• In a pan , heat oil splutter the jeera and fry the green chillies and ginger . 
• To this add the dry masalas (garam masala, red chilli powder, dhaniya powder) and fry on low heat for 30 seconds taking care not to burn it.
• Pour the boiled peas along with the water to this spice mixture along with potato crumbled and mix it well.
• Add about 2 cups of water and adjust salt if needed and bring it to a nice boil. The masala should have pouring consistency.  
• Garnish with coriander and keep aside. 

Preparation of Chutneys 

Meetha /Dates Tamarind chutney
8-10 dates - remove the seed or use seedless

lemon sized tamarind
2-3 tablespoon powdered jaggery
1-2 tsp roasted jeera powder
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
pinch of salt.

Method

• In a big vessel, add the dates and tamarind with 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil for 5 mins. Let it cool well.
• Put them in a blender and grind it well and sieve it through a strainer.
• To this thick extract, add the jaggery , red chilli powder,salt,jeera powder and about  1 cup water and bring it to a slight boil .
• Once it cools down, you can refrigerate this chutney.

Theekha (Spicy Green) Chutney 

half a bunch fresh corriander / cilantro
1/4 bunch of pudina / mint
Few cashew nuts or raw peanuts
3-4 green chillies
1 tbsp lime juice
salt as per taste
pinch of  black salt
Pinch of sugar

Method

• Blend all the ingredients except salt and black salt in a blender / mixie with minimal water only if needed.The lime juice does the needful.
• Finally add the black salt and normal salt and mix well.
• Store and refrigerate in a dry air tight container and use a dry spoon for prolonged shelf life.

How to assemble the Masalpuri /Masala Puri?

• Crush about 6 or 7 pani puris on a plate. 
• Pour about 2 to 3 ladles of the warm green peas masala over it and a few spoonful of sweet and spicy chutney.
• Spread the chopped tomatoes, onions , cucumber, grated carrot and spicy mixture. 
• Lastly garnish with fresh coriander and roasted peanuts for extra crunch.
• Enjoy it warm with a cup of Masala Tea .