Creating Delicious Fruit Chaats

Chaat, which means “to lick” or “to taste” in Hindi and Urdu, refers to a category of Indian snack and street food. It is typically served as small plates or large bites and can be enjoyed at any time of the day. According to chef and author Maneet Chauhan, chaat can be made from anything, and her book “Chaat: Recipes from the Kitchens, Markets, and Railways of India” explores the diverse world of chaat.

Chaat is a versatile genre of food that focuses more on flavors and textures rather than specific ingredients or cooking techniques. While chaats are predominantly vegetarian, they can also incorporate fish or meats. These dishes can be savory or sweet, or a combination of both. According to Sunderam and Chauhan, a crucial element in any chaat is the presence of crispiness and a balance of textures.

Get the recipe: Peach and Tomato Chaat

As Chauhan recalls, one of her favorite aspects of growing up in India was the seasonal fruits. Street vendors in India would offer plain fruit or transform it into a chaat by adding lime juice and chaat masala. This combination adds a savory, sour, smoky, and spicy-hot flavor to the ripe fruit. Crunchy elements like nuts, seeds, or crispy chips called sev are often included. Similarly, Mexican vendors use lime juice and Tajín to add acidity, spice, and heat to sweet, ripe fruit.

Although I don’t live in India, I still crave fruit chaats during the summer. To learn how to create a delicious fruit chaat, I sought advice from the experts.

According to Chauhan, the ripeness of the fruit is crucial in fruit chaats. The combination of flavors should create a delightful experience, with each bite offering a mix of spicy, savory, tart, and sweet sensations. Chaat masala, a complex spice blend, is often sprinkled on top of fruit chaats. The blend typically includes amchoor, kala namak, cumin, coriander, fennel seed, ginger, black pepper, and chili powder. If chaat masala is not available, honey, ginger, and tamarind paste can provide a similar taste. However, the presence of some form of pungency is essential in all chaats.

The Peach and Tomato Chaat recipe is designed with these principles in mind. A dressing made from lime juice, fresh ginger, fresh chile, sugar or honey, and chaat masala helps bring out the natural juices of the ripe fruit. If chaat masala is unavailable, the honey, ginger, and tamarind paste provide a similar level of pungency. However, it is essential to include crunchy elements to enhance the overall experience of flavors.

Get the recipe: Peach and Tomato Chaat