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15 mouth-watering Indian snacks you must try
Get riding on the Indian fast food train and find out if you've tried them all yet.
If you are a foodie and love to taste different kinds of food from across the world, you are in the right country.
India is well known for its wide variety of snacks and appetisers and the best part is that you wouldn't have to travel around the world to taste the Chinese Chow-Mein or the Kebabs from Turkey.
India has been a melting pot of multiple cultures and this is global cultural diversity is best observed in her cuisine.
What are appetisers and snacks?
Appetisers and snacks, in general, are finger food or ready-to-eat food and are very similar to the French Hors d'oeuvres.
Some of these are quite popular and have become street food, while others are served at homes, restaurants or at parties.
With every state or region having its own food culture, many appetisers or snacks are also customised to adapt to the taste of that particular culture.
Read on for 15 of the most popular appetisers or snacks, otherwise also termed as 'Indian Fast food'.
Achari Paneer
Achari Paneer is not only yummy but also healthy and high in protein.
This versatile dish can be served both as an appetizer and as an accompaniment to the main course.
How it's made
Paneer cubes are marinated in a spicy achari marinade (pickle) and then cooked in a tava or tandoor.
With the same ingredients, you can also make mouth-watering Achari Paneer Pulao.
Courtesy: awesomecuisine.com
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Aloo Roll
A winter party calls for this spicy snack.
How it's made
These yummy hot bread potato rolls are made of spicy potatoes, which are flavoured with coriander, green chillies, chaat masala and peanuts.
Aloo rolls are a wonderful tea-time snack for the monsoon.
Ask any Indian foodie about their favourite snack during the rains and aloo rolls would get a mention.
These rolls can also be baked and not deep-fried which makes them both delicious and healthy.
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Aloo Chaat
Another mouth-watering potato recipe is Aloo Chaat.
This is one of Mumbai's popular street food.
How it's made
Baby potatoes are marinated in Indian spices and sauteed in oil.
It is deep fried on a low flame to get that crisp deep golden-brown layer and is served with delicious chaat toppings, moong and sev.
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Bhel Puri
When we talk about snacks how can be forget to mention Bhel Puri, the spicy crunchy snack.
Yet another popular street-food, this scores well with both food lovers and the health-conscious.
How it's made
Apart from the two main ingredients of puffed rice (kurmura) and fine sev, it also includes a sprinkle of fresh vegetables like cucumber, carrot, onions, tomatoes, mint or coriander chutney.
It's versatile enough for anyone to create their own versions.
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Batata Vada
This deep fried savoury appetiser is also known as 'Aloo Bonda' in the southern parts of the country.
How it's made
This fried potato dumpling is made with a spicy potato mix, gram flour and then deep fried.
A popular street food in Mumbai, Batata Vada is crispy from the outside and soft inside.
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Bread Potato Rolls
These are perfect tea-time snack and can be served as an appetiser as well.
How it's made
Like Batata Vada, this mouthwatering bread potato rolls are crunchy on the outside and soft and spicy on the inside.
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Egg Roll
If you are wandering in the streets of Kolkata then you cannot miss its famous Egg Roll.
How it's made
It is basically a wrap which consists of an egg and salad and is served with various dips and sauces.
If you wish, you can team it up with some chicken soup as well.
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Litti Chokha
If you happen to go to Patna you would be amazed to see how people are in love with this appetizer and snack known as the Litti Chokha, which is indeed quite healthy and nutritious.
How it's made
The main ingredients of Litti Chokha are gram flour, brinjal and boiled potato.
This can eaten either as a snack or a main course.
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Mirchi Bajji (Pakode) or Chilli Fritters
If you really want to test your taste buds, then Mirchi Bajji from Hyderabad is a must-have.
How it's made
These are green chillies stuffed with various fillings and then covered in batter and deep fried.
This city is very famous for its mouth-watering and in-numerable varieties of biryani, all known for its authentic taste.
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Poha Jalebi
It's a staple breakfast snack in Indore.
How it's made
It is served with nylon sev and green chillies and are served in 'Donna' -- handmade bowls made out of leaves.
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Smoked Tandoori Paneer Tikka
This classic dish from the Mughal region of the northern part of the country is called by many names including Nawabi Paneer Tikka, Malai Paneer Tikka, Tandoori Paneer Tikka and Hariyali Paneer Tikka.
How it's made
It's made from fresh paneer (cottage cheese) that is flavoured with a variety of spices.
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Spring Rolls
The seven sisters of India (the north-eastern states) have brought to the table a very interesting snack known as the spring rolls.
It has become so popular that, it is now one of the most loved snack in the entire country.
How it's made
They have a crispy shell of flour and vegetable or shredded meat filling inside.
It is served with hot and spicy chilli sauce.
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Stuffed Mushrooms
If you are looking for a fun appetizer to entertain your guests before the actual meal, this appetizer is the perfect choice.
How it's made
The texture of the mushroom, the softness of the cheese along with the crunch of the bread crumbs makes this one-bite-appetizer everyone's favourite.
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Vegetarian Hariyali Malai Kebab
Kebabs are yet another tea time snack which is very popular in Hyderabad and Northern India as well.
How it's made
Kebabs are mostly prepared out of shredded meat, but can also be made of vegetables such as potatoes and mixed vegetables.
The ingredients of Vegetarian Hariyali Malai Kebab are paneer, potatoes and mint chutney.
They are crispy on the outside, soft from the inside and sprinkled with chaat masala and make perfect party accompaniments.
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Vada Pav
Vada Pav is a popular street food in Mumbai.
People tend to wake up early in the morning and often have Vada Pav for breakfast from the roadside vendor.
How it's made
This is an Indian-style burger with Potato Bonda (mentioned earlier in this article) filled in-between a bun.
It is served with various dips and sauces.
Reader invite: Dear Reader, do you have an interesting recipe that you'd like to share with us?
E-mail us your recipe along with a photograph, if possible, to getahead@rediff.co.in (Subject line: Recipe) and we'll publish the best ones right here!