Kutchi Dabeli

Kutch is my native place and this is one of the most delicious dishes I have eaten there. When I see dabeli somewhere outside Kutch, I see all different versions of it – with pomegranate, coconut and sev to sweeten it but the original one is very spicy.

Ingredients

  • For the Dabeli Filling
  • 4 Medium-sized Potato (boiled, peeled and mash 3 + dice 1)
  • 2 Medium-sized Tomato
  • 7-8 Garlic Cloves
  • 1 Tbsp Oil
  • 1 Tsp of Turmeric Powder
  • 1 Tbsp of Dabeli Masala
  • 1 Tbsp or Coriander Powder
  • 1 Tbsp of Chilli Powder
  • 1 Tbsp Jaggery 
  • Water
  • Salt to Taste
  • 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
  • To Assemble
  • 8 Pavs
  • Lemon
  • Masala Sing/Peanuts
  • Red Garlic Chutney
  • Onions (finely chopped)

Preparation

Prep: 40 minutes
Cooking: 40 minutes


  1. Prepare the Dabeli filling – Blend tomatoes and garlic in a chopper into a smooth puree.
  2. In a deep pan, heat oil and add the tomato-garlic puree and salt to taste. Let this cook for about 5-10 minutes on medium heat until the puree releases oil.
  3. Now add turmeric powder, dabeli masala, coriander powder and chilli powder. Let it cook on low heat for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Once the masala is cooked, add 2 cups of water to the pan, followed by jaggery and both mashed and diced potatoes.
  5. Now add 1 tbsp of lemon juice and a little more water only if you wish to change the consistency (the ideal consistency should be hearty, so it’s easy for the filling and does not fall off the pav).
  6. Lastly, add salt to taste and if you need it spicier, then add more dabeli masala. Cover it with a lid and let this cook on low heat for about 5-10 minutes.
  7. Assemble the Dabeli – Cut the pav.
  8. Spread the red garlic chutney inside the cut pavs. Also, squeeze a little bit of lemon into the cuts.
  9. Take half a spoonful dabeli mix and fill only half of the pav.
  10. Sprinkle some onions and masala peanuts.
  11. Again, fill the rest of the pav with the remaining mix.
  12. Stick a few more onions and peanuts to the side of the filling, and your delicious dabeli is ready.

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