Mumbai Style Bhel Chutney

If you have ever traveled by Mumbai local trains, you will know what I am talking of. When I was in Mumbai, traveling from Andheri to VT station, a crisp sukha bhel was my everyday snack. A vendor with a big basket containing puffed rice, crisp sev, onions, tomatoes, green chillies, lemon and dry sukhi chutney would walk around from one compartment to another, customizing and making fresh bhel for travelers. It would cost just Rs. 5 WOW!

Now, when I am back from work and my workout, evening snack of a big bowl of sukha bhel is must. Lots of veggies, and puffed rice, that's my type of delicious diet bhel. I prepare my mummy's special spicy dry chutney, and store in the refrigerator. It lasts for 15 days and making bhel becomes quick and easy.

This spicy chutney is a specialty of Mumbai bhelwalas. This chutney can be made in advance and stores in the freezer. It can be used as it is for sukha (dry) bhel or liquified by adding water. This is an ultimate chutney which makes your homemade bhel an authentic street food style.

Now I know why my mom's bhel is so popular!! :)

Roast 1 cup of chickpea flour/besan/gram flour well in a pan on low heat till it looses it's raw flavor. Allow it to cool.

Grind 7-8 green chillies and 2 inch ginger with salt and lemon juice (do not add water)

Mix roasted gram flour and ginger and chilly paste well using a spatula till all the the lumps and granules and broken.

Wash your hands thoroughly if you used your fingers to mix the green chilly paste.

Add salt and lemon juice to mix and form a soft ball.

Sprinkle some salt and lemon juice and preserve it in the refrigerator or freezer.

Use little at a time :)

I use this chutney with my DIET BHEL! yum yum!

I call it diet bhel because it does not contain anything fried like sev or puri. But has load of veggies and puffed rice that are low in calories :)
Add some sprouts or nuts to make it rich in proteins!

Enjoy!