Aloo channa chaat ( Tangy potato chickpea snack)

In our daily busy life we need to refresh our self with our thoughts and ambitions. This photograph talks a lot to me. In my career the first job offer from Mumbai was to Fariyas Holiday Resort in Lonavala, Pune as hotel operations trainee. I didn’t had any clue where Lonavala was. I went to sleep with so much rage in my heart, because I was hopeless.

I set off in the morning train to Lonavala, when I get up after a small nap, I saw clouds trying to touch the peak of the mountains – cold breeze playing with your hair, the scenic valleys, the twists and turns of the rails through the tunnels, the sight was amazing. A part of me was calling me from inside – “Seize the place my friend, seize the day”

In this rainy Manchester we curse on the rain, but there people come to see the rain. “Be angry with the rain, it simply does not know how to fall upwards” I still remember these words I’d read somewhere and for every reason I can think of, it makes complete sense. Monsoons teach us many things and for every individual, their reason to love this season differs. For me it’s the cool climate, the smell of wet mud, hot chocolate and obviously those long magical train journeys to Lonavala. Blessed with abundant green-lands and waterfalls, this place is a must visit during the rains.

This was a slice of paradise waiting for me at 1500 feet above the sea level. The accommodation they have offered for we management trainees was amazing, in a little cottage called Aaga bunglaw. The bunglaw was just right at the foot of the mountains, through the window you could see mountain ranges all across the horizon.

My those sleepless nights in Mumbai slums and restaurant tables really worth for this luxurious  job. I was in heaven!! In two months time I have been awarded the best employee of the month for hosting the Halloween celebration. My first feather in my cap. It was a long journey from there. Has to step down, many times in career for the sake of family. Hope everything is for good.

Some of the foods I used to enjoy in these train journey to Mumbai was lonavala chikki, pav bhaji, sev puri and aloo channa chat. Sharing the recipe for aloo chana chat.

Aloo channa chaat.

Preparation time – 15 minutes

Cooking time – 15 minutes

Serves – 2
Ingredients
Cooked channa (chickpeas) – 1 cup
Diced potatoes cooked – 1/2 cup
Finely chopped onion – 1/2 of a medium onion
Finely chopped tomato – 1 tomato
Finely chopped coriander leaves – 1 to 2 Tbsp
Coriander chutney/ Green chutney  as needed
Tamarind chutney as needed
Rock salt to taste
Chaat masala – 1 ½ teaspoon ( available in Indian groceries)
Pomegranate seeds, lemon slice, nylon sev (fried gram flour thin noodles) as needed (available in Indian groceries) for garnishing.

Method

• Mix all the ingredients required for the chaat in a large bowl.
• Add chickpeas, potatoes, finely chopped onions, tomatoes,  two chutneys to taste, salt to taste, chaat masala and  coriander leaves.

Garnish with lemon slice, sev and pomegranate seeds and serve immediately.