Cracker Chaat
Cracker Chaat
A number of years ago my husband and I used to frequent a really wonderful Indian restaurant in Burnaby. One of the dishes that brought us back time after time was their version of chaat (a tasty Indian snack or street food). It had everything: a complex spiciness; a crunch of sev; and a zingy chutney. Every bite was heaven! I had forgotten about that dish until I saw this recipe in Asha Shivahumar’s cookbook, Masala & Meatballs. I was so excited when I made it a few months ago for a girls’ gathering. I couldn’t stop gobbling it up, and actually, neither could the girls! This is perfect party food, so today I am sharing this chaat with you, and bringing it over to Angie’s Fiesta Friday this week, which I am happy to co-host with Antonia @ Zoale.com. Be sure to visit Antonia’s delicious site, as it is chock-full of scrumptious posts, and I do hope you will join us, even if it is just to ogle all the amazing creations of guests. But, you really should share your own creations by linking them to the party. If you have never done this before, here are a few simple guidelines. I hope to see you there!
So many layers of flavour and texture!
Cracker Chaat
Ingredients:
½ red onion, finely diced
1 cup grape tomatoes, seeded and finely diced
½ cup thick Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon ground cumin (toasted)
¼ teaspoon sea salt
16 or more butter crackers (I used Ritz)
1 recipe Apple Cilantro Chutney (below)
a few sprigs of cilantro (chopped)
1/3 cup fried chickpea noodles (sev)
Sriracha sauce
Method:
Place red onions and tomatoes into small serving dishes and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, sugar, cumin and salt. Pour into a small serving dish and set aside.
Make the cilantro chutney and place in a small serving bowl.
Arrange all the little serving bowls on a platter with the crackers. The guests can construct their own crackers by placing a small dollop of the yogurt on the cracker first, followed by a few minced onions and tomatoes. Top with a small dollop of the chutney, and finally garnish with the sev and a bit of cilantro. If you like it extra spicy, dot with a bit of sriracha.
You could assemble some crackers before your guests arrive, but I find that they go a bit soggy if left to sit for too long. It is more fun for the guests to assemble them just before eating. That way they can tailor them to their own taste and they will get all of the textures that this wonderful recipe offers.
Apple Cilantro Chutney
Apple Cilantro Chutney
Ingredients:
1 apple, peeled, cored and chopped
1 cup packed cilantro, chopped
½ cup packed mint leaves, chopped
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
¼ red onion, diced
2 cloves garlic
3 Thai green chiles, ribs and seeds removed
¼ teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoon vegetable oil
Method:
Place the ingredients in a food processor or blender and grind to a paste. Transfer to an air-tight container and keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.
You can control the heat of this chutney by the number of chiles you add.
Your guests will love building their own chaat!
Foodie On Board 
17 Responses to “Cracker Chaat”
[…] I am linking up to Angie’s Fiesta Friday #261, with Antonia@Zoale.com and Julianna@Foodie on Board! […]
I’m a huge lover of chaat, and love making a chaat out of just about anything. 🙂 I often make cracker chaat too. Your version looks absolutely delicious. 🙂 I love the idea of adding apple to green chutney – what a great idea!
Yes, the apple adds a lovely freshness. I will keep some of this in my fridge always for so many dishes!
Thanks so much!That apple chutney has become one of my favourite chutneys!
Your crackers look delicious and I love the flavors. They are so pretty with the topping and I can just imagine how wonderful they are! Thank you for sharing them at Fiesta Friday and for co-hosting with me. I sent you an email and am so sorry for the delay! Happy Fiesta Friday and have a fantastic weekend, Julianna! 😀
Thanks so much, Antonia! So glad that I got to co-host with you!
This is one of our favorite chaat and I a regular on weekends or when guests come over.. adding some boiled potatoes or potato tater totes will makes it more yummy along with tamarind Chutney!!
Oh wow! I will have to try that next time! Thanks so much for the tip!
These look like the perfect party food! 😀 Thanks for co-hosting, Chef Julianna.
Hey Jhuls! So glad you like this little bit of party food!
Julianna what a great recipe! These sound like a fun idea and I’m not surprised that with such a flavour combo you and your friends couldn’t stop eating them! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday, and thanks for co-hosting. Happy Fiesta-ing! 🙂
Thanks so much, and I am always happy to co-host such a fine blog party!
This is vegan? Thanks so much for bringing it over to Fiesta Friday this week!
Unfortunately, this isn’t vegan because of the yogurt…. 😦
I’m starting to make my own variations of chaat at home, since most of the time the ones from the restaurant are just too hot for me. I think I’m beginning to be sorta good at it, lol. I haven’t thought of using crackers, what a marvelous idea, J! You’re a chaat goddess! Thanks so much for cohosting this week. Luv ya! ❤
Hey Angie,
Well, I wish I could take the credit for this, but alas, I cannot! However, this is one fine chaat recipe! It was my pleasure to co-host this week!
Great as an appie…looks easy too.where did you get the fried chick pea NOODLES? Great pics will have to try when I get back home