Magic Masala Trail: These chat masala based recipes are just lip-smacking

If there is one question that’s always baffled the connoisseurs is that from where does Indian cuisine, street food and desserts gets that tanginess, that chatpata-ness? Well, the x-factor comes from chaat masala. Chaat masala can be defined as an all purpose Indian seasoning, which is made from various ingredients such as dried mango powder, cumin, coriander, asafetida to name a few. Such is the popularity of chaat masala that apart from used in salads, fruit chaat, traditional recipes; it is also used as an innovation in the hard boiled candy Pulse, which is one of the best-selling candies in India. With flavours such as guava, orange, pineapple, kachcha aam, chaat masala is main ingredient that brings the zing in the candy.

However, if you thought at chaat masala can’t be experimented with then think again! We got in touch with city chefs, who’ve shared with us a few quirky ways to enjoy the multi-faceted flavours of chaat masala.

Chaat masala and chocolate freakshake

Temper 50gm dark chocolate by microwaving it for 20 seconds. After that, stir it with a spatula. Microwave again for 20 seconds and stir. Repeat the procedure until the temperature for chocolate reaches 37 degree Celsius. Then take 20ml milk, 20ml cream and 2 scoops of chocolate ice cream in a shaker and blend it. Add 10gm chaat masala. Blend again and top it up with 30gm crushed brownie. Garnish with mint sprigs.

Chaat masala and chocolate jaggery praline

Temper 50gm dark chocolate by microwaving it for 20 seconds. After that, stir it with a spatula. Microwave again for 20 seconds and stir. Repeat the procedure until the temperature for chocolate reaches 37 degree Celsius. Then, melt 50gm jaggery in a pan and add 10gm sesame seed, 50gm peanuts and 10gm chaat masala in it. Mix it well and then mix it with tempered chocolate. Shape it and then leave it for a while. Serve with hot coffee.

By Chef Nishant Choubey

Kachi Kerry Mocktail

In a shaker, add 30ml aam panna and 15gm chaat masala; and shake it well. Then add 20ml apple soda. Shake again. Then, add 30ml lime juice. Shake it again, and your mocktail is ready. Serve in a glass of your liking.

Desi Chatkara Cocktail

In a shaker, add 60ml rum and 4 basil leaves and shake it. Then, add 15gm chaat masala and again shake. Then, add 20ml honey pepper syrup along with 45ml pineapple juice. Shake again and garnish with slice of lemon and celery.

Chatpata Swad Cocktail

Take a shaker and add 60ml Tequila and 20ml lime juice, and shake it. Then, add 15ml sugar syrup, 10gm chaat masala along with 5gm shikanji masala, and shake it for a minute. Sprinkle chat masala on the rim of the glass and your cocktail is ready.

Modi Ji ki Shikanji Mocktail

In a glass, add 6 fresh mint leaves and 5gm salt. Mix it and then add 10gm chaat masala along with 10gm shikanji masala. Again whisk it. Then, add 30ml lime juice and 10gm water.

By Manish Chauhan, Mixologist at Philtre- The Bistro

Chatpata Kiwi Popsicle

Mix together 100ml fresh lime juice, 200gm sugar and 500ml water till sugar dissolves. Then, add two slices of Kiwi and mix 10ml tequila and 10gm chaat masala into the mixture and mix well. Add the popsicle sticks and the freeze it for 3-4 hours. Garnish with kiwi and sugar syrup

By Tanveer Singh, Consultant, Pinch of Spice

Orange Masala Popsicle

Take a glass full of ice cubes and create shaved ice by blending the ice. The consistency of the blended ice should neither be too thin or thick. If it’s thin, add ice and if it’s thick, add water. Pour it in a glass and keep it aside. Then, take a frozen popsicle, sprinkle orange syrup, chaat masala and vodka over it. After this, pour some vodka along with orange syrup and chaat masala in the glass and then dip the popsicle in it.

Rose Masala Popsicle

Take a glass full of ice cubes and create shaved ice by blending the ice. The consistency of the blended ice should neither be too thin or thick. If it’s thin, add ice and if it’s thick, add water. Pour it in a glass and keep it aside. Then, take a frozen popsicle, sprinkle rose syrup, chaat masala and vodka over it. After this, pour some vodka along with rose syrup and chaat masala in the glass and then dip the popsicle in it.

By Shiv Thakur, Bartender, Nukkad Bar & Cafe