Fusion Confusion - Chip'n Chaat

Mexican Indian Chaat

Ok, I did it again. I went shopping when I was hungry!! You would think that by now, I would know that it is a very bad idea to go grocery shopping on an empty stomach. Luscious looking baked goods, chips, honey roasted peanuts- all beckon to me from the grocer's shelves. I go into a sort of trance, my cart has a will of it's own, and when I find myself at the checkout line, I have a cartful of the dreaded "Junk Food".

I had a shopping spree like this last week and I brought home a bag of Tostitos scoops chips. Not as bad as some of my other purchases, which "ahem" shall go unnamed for the purposes of this post.

Anyways, I was about to make my usual dip of flaming hot salsa for me and hubby and cheesy dip for the kids, when I remembered the FMR #4- Fusion Event being hosted by the lovely Meenakshi of Hooked on Heat. I had also wanted to participate in the VCC held by VKN of MyDhaba fame. Hmmmm, I wonder if can get a two-fer with this appetizer by submitting it to both events!!

Nostalgic memories of Bombay street food combined with a desire to create something healthy led to this delicious snack. I tried a batch and it was proclaimed a hit by both my kids. Tried it on hubby when he came home and he too loved it.

Thus was born - "Chip'n Chaat" - my MexIndian remix of "Dahi Batata Poori"

It has less carbs than the potato version. The corn chip holds up beautifully to the filling and doesn't go soggy up to an hour, making it very ideal for party food. It requires very minimal prep work. To give it a Mexican touch, I substituted the potatoes with black beans for additional protein and fiber. I replaced the yogurt with sour cream, because I am in a sour cream phase of late and have been putting it on everything !!

My 6 year old says "this is so good, you should be one of those men in India who have a cart of food on the beach and sell food to people" !! Well, I suppose it is nice to know that I will make a good "Bhelpuri-wala" - not that there is anything wrong with that - Seinfeld anyone?

So, here it is - my entry to the FMR #4 Fusion event : Chip'n Chaat

Ingredients:

Tostitos "Scoops" chips, as many as you feel like eating!
1 small can of black beans, rinsed and drained (I use Progresso)
1 cup green coriander/cilantro chutney
1 cup tamarind chutney
1 small tomato, chopped
1 small carton of sour cream
1 packet of sev
couple of tablespoons of chat masala I use MDH's chunky chat masala
chopped cilantro for garnish

Method:

1. Arrange the Tostitos on a plate
2. Drop in a couple of black beans in each chip
3. Spoon in the chutneys as per your taste
4. Drizzle on the sour cream
5. Sprinkle the chat masala
6. Garnish with cilantro,tomato and sev
7. Munch with gusto

That's all there is to it. What could be simpler?

Mexican-Indian Chaat

Go ahead, pop one in your mouth, you know you want to !!!!