Indian street food recipes: Tari Poha

Indian street food recipes: Tari Poha

By Nandini Bhushan

Street food in India is a vibrant and integral part of culinary culture, offering diverse flavours, textures and aromas. The rich journey of Indian street food varies widely from region to region, reflecting the country’s diverse culinary tradition. From east to west and north to south, every corner offers its own unique street food made with locally available ingredients. Cheap and easily available, these street foods are consumed by millions.

Also try: Indian street food recipes: Bun Nippat Chaat

Tari Poha

Tari Poha is a popular street food from Nagpur, Maharashtra. It consists of soft and flavourful poha served with spicy and tangy tari (gravy) made from black chickpeas. Here’s a step-by-step recipe.

Ingredients

(Serves 3 to 4 persons)

For Poha 

Poha: 2 cups

Onion: 1 finely chopped 

Green chilli: 1 chopped 

Mustard seeds: 1 tsp

Turmeric powder: ½ tsp

Sugar: 1 tsp

Oil: 2 tsp 

Roasted peanuts: 2 tsp

Lemon juice: 1 tsp

For Tari

Black chickpeas (Kala chana): 1 cup ( soaked overnight and boiled)

Onion: 1

Tomato: 1

Ginger garlic paste: 1 tsp

Cumin seeds: 1 tsp

Mustard seeds: 1 tsp

Red chilli powder: 1 tsp

Coriander powder: 1 tsp 

Black salt: ½ tsp

Amchur powder: 1 tsp

Garam masala: 1 tsp

Oil: 2 tsp

Salt to taste 

Step 1

To prepare the Tari, heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Let them splutter.

Step 2

Add chopped onion and saute until golden brown. Add ginger garlic paste and saute for a minute. Add tomato and cook until soft.

Step 3

Add turmeric, red chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala and salt. Mix well.

Step 4

Add the soaked kala chana along with 2 cups of water and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the chana is soft. Add amchur powder and coriander leaves. Mix well and keep warm.

Step 5

To prepare the Poha, rinse it in water, drain it, and let it rest for 5 minutes.

Step 6

Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add peanuts and fry until crispy. To this, add chopped onion, green chilli and curry leaves. Saute for a minute.

Step 7

Add turmeric powder and mix. Put in Poha, sugar and salt, and gently mix and cook for a couple of minutes. Turn off the heat and add lemon juice.

Step 8

Serve hot Poha on a plate. Pour a generous amount of Tari over the Poha. Garnish with sev and chopped coriander leaves. Top with sliced onion and lemon wedges. 

         Enjoy your authentic Tari Poha.