bHeLpUrI !!!!

Bhelpuri is a a puffed rice dish with potatoes and a tangy tamarind sauce. It is a type of chaat or small plates of savory snacks, particularly identified with the beaches of Mumbai , such as Chowpatty.

There is much disagreement on what goes into the "original" bhel puri, even among chaat experts. Most recipes include puffed rice, sev, (a fried snack shaped like thin noodles made from besan flour) and mixture ( a mix of different types of fried snacks mixed together), as the base of the snack. Other commonly used ingredients include tomatoes, onions and chilis added to the base; northern recipes also add boiled and cut potatoes. Different chutneys impart a sweet or spicy flavour. There are two popular chutneys used, a dark purple sweet one made mainly of dates and tamarind, and a green spicy chutney made of coriander leaves and green chilis.

Another variation is to sprinkle the chat with chunks of diced sweet mango. The finished snack is often garnished with a combination of diced onions, coriander leaves and chopped green chilis. It is sometimes served with papri puris, a deep fried small round and crispy wheat bread. The result is a sour/pungent/sweet tasting evening snack that is a treat for the tastebuds and a good source of carbohydrates and minerals.

There are many variants of Bhelpuri:

• Sevpuri - a mixture of bhelpuri, chutney, papdi and sev
• Dahi puri - a mixture of bhelpuri, chutney, papdi and savoured with lot of youghurt.
• Sev papdi chaat - a lot like sevpuri but with 2-3 types of chutney, potatoes, chana masala

PanI pUrI!

PANI PURI!!!! Also known as Gol Gappa (North India), Phuchka, bataashaa or Gup chup is a popular street snack in the Indian subcontinent. It comprises a round, hollow "puri", fried crisp and filled with a watery mixture of tamarind, chili, chaat masala , potato, onion and chickpeas. Its size is small enough to fit in the mouth.

The term golgappa refers to the fact that crisp sphere ("gol") is placed in the mouth and eaten ("gappa") at one time, without biting. Pani comes from the Hindi word for water and puri (or poori), an Indian bread made by frying dough in oil. It is known as phoochka in Eastern Indian states like Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal and in Bangladesh, because of the bursting sound in the mouth when it is eaten. It is known as GupChup in Orissa and South Jharkhand.

Typically, panipuris are served in 5–8 quantities, constituting a "plate". The plate is constructed out of dry sal leaves and has a triangular shape. Some places offer panipuris pre-made into a whole plate, but the popular way is to be served them one at a time from a road-side vendor. Customers hold a small plate and stand around the server's cart. The server then starts making one panipuri at a time and gives one to each individual. Panipuri servers have to remember each customer's preferences: e.g. sweetened pani, more filling, more onions. The server must also keep count of how many panipuris each person has had. Panipuri servers are renowned for remembering choices and numbers served, even when serving an entire crowd.

Traditionally, panipuris are eaten by placing the entire puri into the mouth in one go and biting into it. This releases a barrage of different tastes. Panipuris may be finished off with a cup of the pani, sweetened or tartened to taste.

A recent emergence in the presentation of panipuri involves the use of vodka as an intoxicating substitute for the more traditional stuffings. Typically, this serving method is confined to privately-hosted parties, and is seldom (if ever) seen practised among street vendors.

In Maharashtra, the recipe is usually spicier, and also contains 'boondi' or sprouts in addition to other ingredients.

Misal Pav !

Misal Pav (Spicy curry with bread) is a traditional Indian dish sold in the streets of Mumbai, Pune and parts of Maharastra, India. It consists of spicy curry usually made of chick peas and chilly powder gravy. The final dish is topped with Punjabi mix or sev (Indian noodles), onions, lemon and coriander (cilantro). It is usually served with bread toasted with butter. The dish is inexpensive and a poor man's meal.

The best Misal Pav available is at Thane outside Mamledar Office. Usually the Pav served is a Bun Pav, but in Kolhapur it is a Sandwich bread. Puneri Misal, as name suggest from Pune is also tasty.

Shree Datta Guru Snacks at Panvel delightfull Misal Pav.

Misal Pav in Shree Datta Snacks Spot near Goregaon Station (East) is also very tasty.