Yellow Peas Chaat

Batani Masala Mixture.

Whole yellow peas are generally used to prepare various chaats. Yellow peas are pressure cooked or boiled in water till they are soft but not too mushy. Oil is tempered with spices and cooked yellow peas are briefly fried along with powdered spices. Finally, chaat comes together when the peas are topped with chopped onion, cilantro and lemon juice.
Makes: around 2 Servings of Yellow Peas Chaat.

Ingredients:

Dry Whole Yellow Peas 1 Cup
Onion 1
Cinnamon 3/4 inch Piece
Cloves 2
Coriander Seeds 1 tbsp
Broken Red Chiles 4 – 6
Cilantro few Sprigs
Lemon Juice 1 tbsp
Salt to taste

Talimpu:

Urad Dal 1/4 tsp
Cumin Seeds 1/4 tsp
Mustard Seeds 1/4 tsp
Broken Red Chiles 2
Asafoetida a Pinch
Curry Leaves 6
Oil 1 tsp

Method of preparation:

Remove ends, peel and finely chop the onion.
Clean, wash and finely chop the cilantro leaves.
Soak yellow peas in water overnight.
Refresh the soaked yellow peas under running water.
Pour water to just submerge the peas and pressure cook the soaked yellow peas for 3 whistles.

Once the pressure is gone, remove the cooked yellow peas and strain them.
Heat oil in a pan, add all talimpu ingredients in order.
When mustard seeds start spluttering, add ground masala powder and cooked peas.
Fry on medium flame till most of the moisture is gone and peas start to change color.
Stir in sufficient salt and remove the peas from heat.

In a serving bowl, add prepared yellow peas mixture, chopped onion, cilantro and lemon juice.
Mix everything thoroughly and serve yellow peas chaat immediately.
Notes: Make sure to cook the yellow peas well before adding to the tempering.

Suggestions: Add more red chiles while making the masala powder to spice up the peas chaat. If the peas are not cooked properly, boil them in a cup of water till they are done.
Variations: Sprinkle a few pinches of chaat masala before adding lemon juice. You can also add chopped tomato and green chiles to the peas chaat.
Other Names: Batani Masala, Yellow Peas Chaat, Batani Mixture.