Jhal Muri - Kolkata style

Jhal Muri is a spicy puffed rice chat made in a jiffy. Kolkata city is the original Jhal Muri paradise, which also houses variety of other famous irresistible chaats. In Bengali language, Jhal meaning 'spicy' and Muri meaning 'puffed rice'. So you have guessed it right; the Jhal Muri is a very spicy snack that demands the use of green chilies. Jhal Muri is also a concoction of variety of ingredients tossed together like puffed rice to other crunchy ingredients and a hint of tamarind pulp and lemon is added for that extra authenticity. But much more authentic flavor is brought by adding a few drops of mustard oil, giving this Jhal Muri Chat a local touch. 

 

The Chaat is so famous that its found even in the streets of London, which is housed in a mobile van with the name, 'Jhal Muri Express'. 'Jhal Muri Express' is stationed in various locations in London in a sunny day during food-fest. The person behind this Jhal Muri Express is 'Angus Denoon' who was inspired by the Kolkata's Street food - Chaats. What he has to say about this famous Jhal Muri Chat is that, "it is a great leveller and chat supreme, a slow moving miracle way-past the potential of the simple snack". So guys take a bowl, mix all ingredients your-way and serve yourself in a newspaper made cone, a hot-dose of Jhal Muri in kolkata style. 

Jhal Muri Express in London

Ingredients:

1. Puffed rice - 2 bowls
2. Mixture / Chanachur - 3/4th bowl (contains savory snack called sev, roasted groundnuts, roasted chickpeas, roasted dry peas, papdi, bigger sev)
3. Green Chilies - 3 no.
4. Onions - 1 no.
5. Chilly powder - 1/2 tsp.
6. Roasted cumin powder - 1/2 tsp.
7. Lemon juice - 2 tsp.
8. Thick tamarind pulp - 1/2 tsp.
9. Mustard oil - 4 to 5 drops
10. Black salt - 1/4 tsp.

Method:

1. Chop onions and green chilies very finely. 

2. In a bowl, mix the puffed rice with mixture (Chanachur), cumin powder, chilly powder and salt.

3. Just before serving, mix chopped onions, green chilies, add some tamarind pulp, squeeze some lemon juice. Finish it with some drops of mustard oil for the flavor. Serve this Jhal Muri Chat with a cup of chai and rejoice your taste buds.

Note:  Boiled potatoes chopped finely can be included though this gets bland and soggy sometimes so usually I avoid this. If you want more crisp, can avoid onions too or add very less.