Healthy And Perfect For Fasting Makhana Aloo Chaat

Fasting does not have to mean giving up on flavour, and Makhana Aloo Chaat is a perfect example of a delicious vrat-friendly treat. Made with crunchy roasted makhana, boiled potatoes, roasted peanuts and aromatic spices, this chaat is both satisfying and easy to prepare. Seasoned with sendha namak, roasted cumin and black pepper, it offers a wonderful combination of crunch, spice and tanginess.

Perfect for Sawan, Navratri, Shivratri and other fasting days, this Makhana Aloo Chaat can be enjoyed as a light meal or an evening snack. It is quick to prepare and can be customized according to the ingredients permitted during your fast.

Ingredients

1 cup makhana (fox nuts)
2 medium boiled potatoes, diced
½ cup roasted peanuts, roughly crushed
1 green chilli, finely chopped
1 tsp cumin seeds
½ tsp black pepper powder
1 tsp roasted cumin powder
1 tsp amchur powder or vrat-friendly lemon juice
Sendha namak, to taste
1 tbsp ghee
2 tbsp chopped coriander
2 tbsp fresh grated coconut, optional

Method

Roast the makhana:

Heat a pan and add the ghee. Add makhana and roast on low-medium heat for 5–7 minutes until crisp. Keep stirring so they roast evenly.

Prepare the potatoes:

Heat the same pan and add the boiled, diced potatoes. Cook for 2–3 minutes until they become lightly golden.

Add spices:

Add cumin seeds, green chilli, black pepper powder, roasted cumin powder and sendha namak. Mix well.

Combine everything:

Add the roasted makhana and crushed peanuts to the potatoes. Toss gently so that the makhana remains crunchy.

Add tanginess:

Switch off the flame and add amchur powder or a little lemon juice, depending on your fasting tradition.

Garnish:

Add chopped coriander and grated coconut. Mix gently and serve immediately.