Pani Puri – Indian Street Food

Step 1: Boil and Mash Potatoes

Place 4 to 5 potatoes in a pressure cooker. Add enough water to cover them. Pressure cook for 3 whistles until tender. Once cooked, peel the potatoes and mash them thoroughly in a bowl.

Step 2: Prepare Potato Stuffing

To the mashed potatoes, add 1 chopped onion, chopped coriander leaves, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp red chilli powder, 1/2 tsp chat masala, 1/2 tsp coriander powder, and 1/2 tsp garam masala. Mix all ingredients well until combined.

Step 3: Prepare Green Pani Paste

In a blender, combine 1 cup coriander leaves, 1/2 cup mint leaves, a 1-inch piece of ginger, 1 tbsp tamarind, 1 green chilli, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp chat masala, and some water. Blend until a smooth paste is formed.

Step 4: Dilute Green Pani

Pour the green pani paste into a large bowl. Add 2-3 cups of water and mix well to achieve the desired consistency. Add ice cubes to chill the pani.

Step 5: Prepare Sweet Pani Paste

In a blender, add 1/2 cup tamarind (previously soaked in hot water). Blend until smooth. Pour the tamarind paste into a separate bowl.

Step 6: Season and Dilute Sweet Pani

To the tamarind paste, add 3 tbsp jaggery, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp red chilli powder, and 1/2 tsp chat masala. Mix well. Add 1-2 cups of water and mix to achieve the desired consistency for the sweet pani.

Step 7: Assemble Pani Puri

Take a puri shell, gently tap to create a hole in the center. Fill the puri with the prepared potato stuffing. Add a small amount of chopped onions and coriander leaves. Dip the filled puri into either the green pani or the sweet pani and enjoy immediately.

• Adjust the spice levels of the potato stuffing and pani according to your preference.

• Always serve the pani chilled for the best taste and refreshing experience.

• For an extra crunch, you can add some boondi to the green pani.

• Add boiled chickpeas or sprouted moong dal to the potato stuffing for added protein and texture.

• Experiment with different pani flavors like garlic pani or hing (asafoetida) pani.