Dabeli

This is an extremely delicious street snack of India, particularly from a place called "Kutch" in the state of Gujarat. Hence this is also known as "Kutchi Dabeli".

This is basically an Indian bun called "Ladi Pav", stuffed with boiled, mashed potatoes cooked in special "Dabeli" masala. What makes it tangy and tasty is that the bun is loaded with sweet and spicy dates and tamarind chutney along with mint chutney and then adorned with roasted masala peanuts and fresh pomegranate seeds.

If you are a connoisseur of Indian Street food, this is something you will truly enjoy.

Here's how these are made.

Ingredients:

There are four basic steps to follow.

1. Make the dinner rolls or as we call "Ladi Pav".

2. Make Dabeli Masala.

3. Prepare mashed potato stuffing.

4. Assembling.

For Dinner Rolls:

• Either you could use store bought dinner rolls or if you wish to make them fresh at home, a detailed recipe is available here.

For Dabeli Masala Powder:

• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds

• ½ teaspoon cumin seeds

• ½ teaspoon fennel seeds

• ½ teaspoon black peppercorns

• ½ inch cinnamon

• 1 black cardamom

• 6 cloves

• 1 star anise

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

• 2 tablespoons of dry coconut

• 3 dried whole red chillies

• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder

• 1 teaspoon dry mango powder or as we call it "Aamchur Powder".

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• ½ teaspoon salt

For mashed potato stuffing:

• 2 tablespoons of dates and tamarind chutney. This is easily available in any Indian grocery store.

• ¼ cup water

• 2 tablespoons of oil

• 3 - 4 large potatoes, boiled & mashed

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 tablespoon of coconut, grated

• 1 tablespoon of coriander leaves, finely chopped

• 2 tablespoons of sev. These are extremely thin strands of noodles made out of gram flour which are deep fried. There are crispy and crunchy and are easily available in any Indian grocery store under snacks section.

• 2 tablespoons of pomegranate seeds.

• 2 tablespoons of spiced peanuts. Again you could use store bought masala roasted peanuts.

For Serving :

• 8 buns or dinner rolls

• 1/2 cup of green chutney

• 1/2 cup dates and tamarind chutney

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• Softened butter, for toasting

Method:

Dabeli Masala Preparation:

• In a pan take all the 12 Dabeli Masala Powder Ingredients".

• Dry roast on low flame until the spices turn aromatic.

• Cool completely and transfer them to a blender.

• Add ½ teaspoon turmeric, 1 teaspoon dry mango powder, 1 teaspoon sugar and ½ teaspoon salt.

• Grind them to a fine powder and dabeli masala is ready. Set it aside.

Mashed Potatoes Stuffing:

• In a large thick bottom pan heat 2 tablespoons of oil.

• Take 3 teaspoons of prepared dabeli masala powder into a bowl, along with 2 tablespoons of dates and tamarind chutney and ¼ cup water.

• Mix well making sure there are no lumps.

• Pour in the masala mixture into the hot oil. Cook for 2 minutes or until it turns aromatic.

• Now add the boiled and mashed potatoes, ½ tsp salt and mix well.

• Combined well.

• The mashed potatoes stuffing is now ready for assembling. Transfer this mixture on to a plate.

• Top with 1 tablespoon of shredded coconut, 1 tablespoon of chopped coriander leaves, 3 tablespoons of sev, 2 tablespoons of pomegranate and 2 tablespoons of spiced peanut.

Assembling Dabeli:

• Slit the pav in the centre and spread 1 teaspoon of green chutney on one side of pav and 1 teaspoon of dates and tamarind chutney on another side.

• Stuff the prepared mashed potato stuffing mixture into the pav.

• Add 1 teaspoon of chopped onion and top it again with mashed potato stuffing.

• Now toast the stuffed pav in butter making sure both sides turn slightly golden brown.

• Once the stuffing is done, cover the cut edges of the dabeli by sev and serve immediately.

Voilla!!! You are ready to devour them.