Tiscali Lifestyle Food and Drink

Chat is an essential part of Indian pavement cuisine and it is one of a number of snacks you can buy in any bazaar in India. However, as Indians are predominantly vegetarian, chats are usually made from fruit and vegetables.

The word chat comes from the Hindi verb chatna and it describes the act of licking. One interpretation of this word would be "finger licking good". If you are unable to tell if it is sweet or sour then it is referred to as being "chatpati", hence the word chat.

Chicken Chat is an English dish invented by curry houses in order to provide a non-vegetarian starter on their menu. Usually a few pieces of chicken - often chicken tikkas - are added to vegetable chat.

This recipe can vary to include anything you like - including chicken

Method

Serves six

2 boiled potatoes
½ cucumber
½ papaya
2 starfruit
½ melon
2 bananas
2 mangoes
1 sweet potato
½ white radish
8 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 oz boiled chick peas
3 tbsp chat masala
6 fresh limes

Cut all the fruit and vegetables into small pieces and mix, taking care that you do not break the pieces. Sprinkle the Chat masala over the mixture. Squeeze the limes, add and mix again. Taste and season with salt.

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