Kutchi Dabeli
A famous street food from the Kutch region of Gujarat. It's a delightful mix of sweet, spicy, and tangy potato filling stuffed in a soft pav, loaded with crunchy peanuts, sev, and juicy pomegranate.
For 6 servings
6 steps. 25 minutes total.
- 1
Step 1
- a.Prepare the Sweet Tamarind-Date Chutney
- b.Soak the seedless tamarind and pitted dates in 1 cup of hot water for 30 minutes to soften them.
- c.Transfer the soaked mixture to a small saucepan. Add the grated jaggery and 1/4 tsp of salt.
- d.Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the jaggery has completely dissolved.
- e.Allow the mixture to cool down completely. Once cool, blend it in a mixer to a smooth, thick paste. Set aside.
- 2
Step 2
- a.Prepare the Red Garlic Chutney
- b.Soak the Kashmiri dried red chillies in 1/2 cup of hot water for 20-30 minutes to rehydrate them.
- c.Drain the water and transfer the soaked chillies to a blender jar.
- d.Add the garlic cloves, lemon juice, and 1/4 tsp of salt.
- e.Blend to a fine paste, adding 1-2 tablespoons of water if necessary to achieve a smooth consistency. Set aside.
- 3
Step 3
- a.Make the Dabeli Potato Filling
- b.Heat 2 tbsp of vegetable oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat.
- c.Add the dabeli masala and sauté for 30-40 seconds until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
- d.Add the boiled and mashed potatoes, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup of the prepared sweet tamarind-date chutney to the pan.
- e.Mix everything thoroughly. Add about 1/4 cup of water to loosen the mixture, making it soft and easily spreadable. Cook for 2-3 minutes, mashing any remaining lumps.
- f.Turn off the heat and let the filling cool slightly.
- 4
Step 4
- a.Layer and Garnish the Filling
- b.Transfer the prepared potato filling onto a flat plate or tray and spread it into an even layer.
- c.Sprinkle the chopped coriander leaves, half of the masala peanuts, and half of the pomegranate arils evenly over the surface of the potato mixture. This layering ensures every scoop has all the components.
- 5
Step 5
- a.Assemble the Dabeli
- b.Take a ladi pav and carefully slit it horizontally through the center, leaving one edge connected like a hinge.
- c.Generously spread about 1 tsp of the sweet chutney on the top inner side and 1 tsp of the red garlic chutney on the bottom inner side of the pav.
- d.Scoop about 2-3 tablespoons of the garnished potato filling and stuff it neatly inside the pav.
- e.Add a sprinkle of finely chopped red onions inside the stuffed pav for extra crunch.
- 6
Step 6
- a.Toast and Serve
- b.Heat a tawa (flat griddle) over medium heat and melt about 1/2 tbsp of butter.
- c.Place the assembled dabeli on the tawa and toast for 1-2 minutes on each side, pressing gently with a spatula, until it's golden brown and slightly crisp.
- d.Remove the toasted dabeli from the tawa. Immediately press the open sides of the pav into the nylon sev, so that the sev sticks to the filling.
- e.Serve hot, garnished with a few more masala peanuts and pomegranate arils.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For the most authentic taste, use fresh and soft ladi pav.
- 2The consistency of the potato filling is key. It should be moist and spreadable, not dry or runny.
- 3Prepare the chutneys and dabeli masala a day in advance to save time.
- 4Adjust the amount of red garlic chutney to control the spice level.
- 5Don't skip toasting the pav in butter; it adds a rich flavor and a delightful crispy texture.
- 6Masala peanuts add a crucial crunch. You can make them at home by tossing roasted peanuts with salt, red chilli powder, and a pinch of chaat masala.
Adapt it for your goals.
Jain Dabeli
Replace the potatoes with boiled and mashed raw bananas. Omit the onions and garlic from the recipe.
Cheese DabeliCheese Dabeli
Add a layer of grated processed or mozzarella cheese inside the pav before stuffing the potato mixture for a gooey, cheesy twist.
Healthier VersionHealthier Version
Use whole wheat pav instead of regular pav. You can also lightly toast the pav with minimal oil instead of butter, or bake them in an oven until crisp.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Good Source of Energy
The potatoes and pav provide complex carbohydrates, which are the body's primary source of energy, making it a fulfilling snack.
Rich in Antioxidants
Pomegranate arils, tamarind, and the various spices in the dabeli masala are packed with antioxidants that help fight free radicals in the body.
Aids Digestion
Spices like cumin and coriander, along with tamarind, are known to aid digestion and improve gut health.
Plant-Based Wholesomeness
This recipe is entirely plant-based (if using oil instead of butter for a vegan option), providing nutrients from vegetables, legumes, and spices without any animal products.
Frequently asked questions
Kutchi Dabeli is a delicious street food snack that is moderately healthy. It contains carbohydrates from potatoes and pav for energy, and antioxidants from pomegranate and spices. However, it can be high in calories due to butter, sev, and sweet chutney. To make it healthier, use whole wheat pav, reduce butter and sev, and control the portion size.