Bhel Mix

I can never forget those trips to Ramakrishna beach or VUDA Park, some of the best beaches in Visakhapatnam/Vizag. Even though the main attraction was to play in the beach, the main obsession was to eat the “mure-mixture” or bhel mix by the road side vendors, who would have mobile stands on their shoulders. Guess, did not worry about hygiene too much in those days. They would mix up all the items in a very skilful way, very interesting to watch. Of course on the same page I have to mention the roasted corn which will be blog for another day. For now, here is how to do bhel mix. I tweaked it a little from the beach vendors.
10 Cups Puffed Rice - Mara-mara/Murellu
1 Red Onion
1 Tomato
2 Potatoes
Few Mango pieces – Optional
2 – 3 Green Chilies
Coriander
1 tsp Tamarind and Dates paste
1 tsp Jaggery
1 Lemon
1 cup Sev/Bhujia
Potato Chips
½ cup Peanuts

Dry fry peanuts and remove the skin. If puffed rice is not crispy, dry fry for a few minutes and it will become crispy again.

Soak tamarind in hot water, extract pulp. Roughly eye ball tamarind paste and equal ratio of dates and grind to make a smooth paste with a tsp of jaggery. To save this mix for future use, bring to boil in a sauce pan, let cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Boil and peel potatoes and cut them into small pieces. Chop onion, tomato, green chili and coriander very finely. Cut mango into small pieces. In a vessel mix them all with salt, red chili powder, tamarind-dates paste, and lemon juice. Just before serving add the puffed rice/mara-mara, chips, sev and mix well otherwise it will become very soggy. Check for salt and adjust seasonings.

Any crunchy things and fried stuff like bajjis or pakodi can also be added. Sever immediately in paper cones or bowls.

A guilt free snack, comes in handy for a large gathering of people.