The 5 Main Uses Of Chaat Masala
Chaat masala is a wonderful Indian spice blend, which is typically used to enhance the flavour of chaat - a term used to describe savoury snacks, often sold by street food vendors in India and other parts of South Asia. Ever wondered what gives pakoras and samosas their delicious yet uniquely distinct flavour? Chaat masala is your answer! Aside from its best-known use in levelling up savoury Indian snacks and side dishes, there are several other ways to use chaat masala that you might not be aware of. Although not as famed as other spice blends such as Garam Masala Powder and Tandoori Masala Powder, Chaat masala is certainly an ally you want to have in the kitchen when it comes to preparing traditional Indian cuisine. Whilst the ingredients of chaat masala will vary from region to region, our blend contains salt, mango powder, white pepper, sugar, cumin, coriander, ginger, citric acid, chilli, mint, turmeric and asafoetida hing.
Today, we are going to take a closer look at how you can use chaat masala in the kitchen, uncovering the popular and lesser-known ways you can use this Indian spice in your food.
1. Savoury Snacks & Side Dishes (Chaat)
So, we will get the obvious one out of the way first, but chaat masala is primarily used for enhancing delicious Indian snacks, otherwise known as chaat. Here are some traditional snacks which use chaat masala to level up the taste:
- Vegetable Samosas
- Halloumi Pakoras
- Chicken 65
- Samosa Chaat
- Aloo Tikki
How chaat masala is used in snacks varies from recipe to recipe, but one thing remains for sure - it adds tanginess, slight heat, sweetness and a depth of flavour that transforms these dishes from ordinary to extraordinary. Chaat masala truly shines when it's used to season and sprinkle over these savoury dishes. For the most pronounced flavour, sprinkle chaat masala generously over your freshly fried snacks just before serving. This ensures that each bite is packed full of its distinctive salty, tangy and slightly sweet taste. At Zouk, we serve the best Chicken 65, Samosa Chaat, and Spicy Halloumi Pakoras as part of our small plates menu, all finished with a generous pinch of our own chaat masala blend, which you can buy online.
2. Fruit Dishes
This might sound a bit unusual but chaat masala is delicious when paired with many fruit dishes. With its tangy and spicy aroma, you may not immediately think that chaat masala should be used in fruit-based dishes. However, Fruit Chaat is one of the tastiest and most healthy Indian dishes one could ask for. Fruit Chaat is essentially just a mixture of your favourite fruits thrown together but it is far from a standard fruit salad thanks to one unique addition - chaat masala! A very popular dish in both India and Pakistan, Fruit Chaat combines the sweetness of fresh fruit with the distinct tanginess and spice of chaat masala, resulting in a unique dish that is both healthy and delightful in taste. What’s not to love?
Which fruits pair with chaat masala?
Most fruits pair amazingly with chaat masala, but we have included a few of our favourites below. If you don't fancy making Fruit Chaat, just sprinkle some chaat masala on any one of these individual fruits for a sweet and spicy snack:
- Mangoes
- Pineapple
- Apples
- Bananas
- Pomegranate
- Oranges
3. Drinks
Chaat masala can also be used in many popular drink recipes. Similar to how the flavour pairing works with fruit, the sweetness of a more traditional fruity drink can be enhanced with a zesty kick of chaat masala. Watermelon juice and lemonade are two of the best beverages you can pair with this spice blend, although don’t be afraid to experiment with other combinations. So next time you're craving a fruity and refreshing beverage with a difference, reach for the chaat masala and prepare to be pleasantly surprised!
4. Salads
Next up on our list, is the use of chaat masala in vegetable-based salads. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring, and you can liven up your diet by opting for refreshing and flavoursome Indian-style salads. When it comes to selecting your vegetables, just opt for your usual preferred choices. We’d recommend adding a few with some crunch though, such as cucumbers, red onions or bell peppers. Throw a bit of olive oil on your salad and mix before sprinkling on a good helping of chaat masala. Simple, but delicious! For a more authentic Indian-style salad, consider adding chickpeas as these are a fantastic option which really helps to elevate the salad.
5. Vegetable Dishes - Chaat Masala Style!
Last up, chaat masala can be used to season roasted vegetables, which adds an extra layer of flavour to your veg - the perfect accompaniment for Biryanis or any other traditional Indian dishes. Simply toss your favourite vegetables in a bit of oil, sprinkle them with chaat masala, and roast until cooked. The chaat masala infuses the vegetables with its tangy and sweet aroma, resulting in a mouthwatering side dish that you won’t be able to get enough of.
Aside from being used to season roasted vegetables, chaat masala is also wonderful when combined with butter and served with chargrilled corn on the cob. A simple yet effective dish that adds a unique twist to this familiar favourite; smother your corn with chaat masala-infused butter for an unbeatable starter or side. We often feature this dish as a special, so be sure to book a table at Zouk if you want to try the tastiest chaat masala-infused corn.
Buy Chaat Masala For Your Kitchen
For all aspiring cooks, Zouk has released our brand new range of traditional Indian spice blends. Our selection of versatile spice blends is made only using premium ingredients and blended in small batches in the UK, including our Chaat Masala Spice Pot.
Once you’ve finished your spice pot, you can top it up using one of our refill bags, including our Chaat Masala 60G Spice Refill Bag.
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