Craving a ‘chatpata’ snack? This chaat recipe has a perfect punch of taste and protein

Cravings are not always sweet! On some days you may also feel like indulging in salty, sour or spicy foods. But satiating your cravings doesn’t always have to be unhealthy. You can cook up a healthy snack recipe too!

Shivani Bavalekar, Senior Executive Nutritionist, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, shares a special recipe with Health Shots.

“This healthy snack recipe will help to curb the craving of chat and will also provide protein in your meal. This can also be the best recipe for any pregnant woman,” says Bavalekar.

Healthy snack recipe: How to make moong dal tikki chat

Ingredients:

1. Yellow moong dal- 3/4th cup
2. Poha: 2 tbsp
3. Curd: 2 tbsp
4. Green red chillies: 2-4 numbers
5. Kasuri methi: 1 tsp
6. Amchur powder: 1 tsp
7. Garam masala: 1 tsp
8. Black pepper: 1tsp
9. Lemon juice: 1-2 tsp
10. Salt as per the taste
11. Tamarind chutney: 1 tbsp
12. Green chutney: 1 tbsp
13. Oil: 1 tbsp
14. Ghee: 1tsp
15. Water: 1-2 cup
16. Fresh coriander for garnishing

Method

1. Wash the yellow moong dal thoroughly and soak it for 30 minutes.
2. Pour the dal in boiling water and cook it for 15-20 minutes.
3. Strain the dal and cool it down. Once cooled, grind it coarsely.
4. Remove the dal in a vessel and add green chilies, red chilies, kasuri Methi, amchur powder, garam masala, black pepper, fresh coriander, fresh mint, lemon juice and salt to taste.
5. In another pan, take soaked Poha, add curd and the moong dal mixture to it.
6. Mix it well, add ghee and knead it properly till you get binding consistency
7. Make small circle shape tikkis and shallow fry it (golden brown) on a medium flame.
8. Put moong dal tikki in a plate and mash it, pour tamarind chutney, green chutney and curd over it.
9. Enjoy this home cooked healthy chat during this monsoon season.

Know the benefits of moong dal

Yellow moong dal is among the lightest of lentils, and can be consumed in versatile ways. It is one of the most commonly used dals in Indian households. Here are some reasons why yellow moong dal can be included in your diet through healthy recipes ranging from soup to dal and tikki!

1. Weight loss

Yes, moong dal is great if you’re trying to lose weight. According to clinical nutritionist Lovneet Batra, it is good to reduce belly fat.

Also, read: Try out this baked beetroot tikki recipe to get the best of taste and nutrition

2. High on protein and fibre

Due its protein and fibre content, any healthy recipe made with yellow moong dal will be high on satiety. It’s because it can lead to a spike in the satiety hormone cholecystokinin, which can keep cravings at bay.

3. Digestion

Yellow moong dal, because of its light nature and insoluble fibre content, can help people fight constipation.

4. Nutrient-rich

Besides protein and fibre, yellow moong dal also includes potassium, manganese, calcium, iron, folate and vitamins, making it a perfect food for vegetarians.

5. Diabetes friendly

Yellow moong dal is low on glycemic index, and made of complex carbohydrates, notes Batra. Therefore, it doesn’t lead to an increase in blood sugar levels, making it a good lentil for diabetics.

Now that you know these benefits of yellow moong dal, do try the healthy snack recipe we just suggested, and more!