Today, I’m excited to share one of my favorite recipes – Crispy Smashed Aloo Chaat. It’s a dish that pays homage to the timeless tradition of aloo chaat, that comes with a modern twist. In this blog post, I’ll delve into what makes this chaat extra special and extra close to my heart, perfect for adding a contemporary touch to your culinary repertoire.
The Modern Twist: Crispy Smashed Aloo Chaat
Now, let’s talk about the modern twist. It begins with mini potatoes that are parboiled, coated in a flavorful mixture, and then smashed and roasted to achieve a the right amount of crispiness. This transformation brings a whole new dimension to the dish, offering a beautiful crunch that compliments with the rich flavors.
What makes the Crispy Smashed Aloo Chaat exceptional is the right balance of flavors. The mint chutney, and yogurt are the perfect combination with the crispy smashed aloo chaat. This combination creates a taste experience that’s as delightful as it is satisfying.
Ingredients for Crispy Smashed Aloo Chaat
Mini potatoes are the star of this dish. Make sure they’re bite-sized, tender, and perfect for smashing and roasting. The small potatoes are good for cooking the potatoes quickly and evenly, When the potatoes are smashed and roasted, they become wonderfully crispy on the outside and soft, flavorful from the inside.
A combination of spices is responsible for the tangy flavors in the chaat. Salt and black pepper adds fundamental seasoning, while red chili powder gives a gentle kick of heat. Cumin powder and dry mango powder, also known as amchoor, creates a tangy and citrusy taste. Together, these spices create a complex and flavorful profile that makes your Crispy Smashed Aloo Chaat a must in this Diwali snack list.
Yogurt plays a cooling and creamy role in the chaat. It balances the heat from the spices and adds a luscious, tangy taste to the dish. I recommend spreading the yogurt on the aloo chaat to get the perfect taste in one bite.
Mint chutney is a classic condiment in Indian cuisine, known for its refreshing and zesty flavor. The mint chutney is also recommended, because it adds a delicious level of freshness with the Tikki Chaat.
How to Make Crispy Smashed Aloo Chaat
Begin by washing your mini potatoes to ensure they’re clean and ready for cooking. The next step is to parboil the potatoes, and you have two methods to choose from.
Method 1: Microwave (My Favorite)
You can place the potatoes in a heat-safe bowl and microwave it for about 7-8 minutes.
Method 2: Gas-Top
Alternatively, you can add your potatoes in a pot of water and boil it about 10-12 minutes.
Once the potatoes are parboiled, just drain them and coat them in half of the ghee and all the spices. Ensure that every potato is well coated. Line an oven dish with parchment paper and place the coated potatoes with some space between each. To flatten them, you can use the bottom of a thick glass. If the potato sticks to the glass, gently release it with a spoon.
Brush the ghee on each potato, or if you prefer, drizzle some olive oil. Bake in the oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the potatoes turn crispy. This step will transform the potatoes into golden, crunchy bites.
To create a visually appealing presentation, carefully remove the crispy potatoes from the oven and make a potato tower. Start with a base of 5-6 potatoes on the bottom, forming a closed circle, and place the remaining potatoes on top, leaving some space around each circle.
To complete your dish, drizzle a mixture of yogurt and mint chutney over the potato tower. Garnish your creation with Aloo bhujia for a delightful crunch and pomegranate seeds for the color and sweetness. Your Crispy Smashed Aloo Chaat is now ready to be enjoyed.
Explore More Diwali Recipes!
Crispy Smashed Aloo Chaat
Ingredients
- 300 gm mini potatoes
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 2 tbsp mint chutney
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp dry mango powder aka amchoor
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 1/2 tsp pudina or mint powder, optional
Garnishes
- Aloo Bhujiya
- Pomegranate Seeds
- Chaat masala
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 400℉
- Start with washing your mini potatoes. Next step is to parboil the potatoes; you can either do it in the microwave or on gas top
Method 1: Microwave (My fav)
- In a heat safe bowl, add the potatoes and cover with water. Microwave for 7-8 mins till fork tender
Method 2: Gas-top
- Bring a pot of water to boil and carefully add in the potatoes. Boil for about 10-15 mins till fork tender
- Once the potatoes are boiled, drain and coat in half of the ghee and all spices. Ensure all potatoes are well coated
- Parchment line an oven dish and place potatoes with some gap between each. Using a thick bottom glass, smash each potato. TIP: Use a spoon release if it sticks to the bottom of the glass
- Brush the remaining ghee on each potato or drizzle some olive oil if thats easy for you. Bake for 25-20 mins till crispy
- Once Done, carefully remove and make a potato tower with it. Start with 5-6 potatoes in a closed circle as base and place remaining on top leaving some space around each circle.
- Drizzle Yogurt mix & mint chutney. Garnish with Aloo bhujia and pomegrenate seeds. Enjoy!
Nutrition
The Crispy Smashed Aloo Chaat is a delightful treat for everyday but it’s especially fitting for special occasions. Whether you’re hosting a gathering, or craving for a tangy snack or simply wanting to add a touch of flavor to your dinner table, this dish has you covered.
Crispy Smashed Aloo Chaat represents the idea of preserving tradition while embracing new additions. So, the next time you’re in the mood for a savory and crispy indulgence, consider giving this modern twist a try. Enjoy your journey into the world of Crispy Smashed Aloo Chaat!
❤️ Gurleen
