Dabeli

Dabeli is said to be invented by one Keshavji Gabha Chudasama alias Kesha Malam. He had never imagined that the product would become popular one day. His shop is still there in Mandvi and business is now carried by his next generations.  Dabeli thus has its origin in Mandvi, a city of the Kutch region and even today Dabeli Masala made in the city are said to be most authentic!

Ingredients for Dabeli

·         Pav(bun) - 8

·         Butter - 2 tbsp

·         Red or green chutney - ½ cup

·         Masala peanuts - 2 tbsp

·         Thin Sev - ½ cup

·         Green Dhaniya(coriander) - ½ cup(finely chopped)

·         Anaar(pomegranate) seeds - ½ cup

Ingredients for Dabeli Masala

·         Whole Dhaniya(coriander) - 2 tsp

·         Jeera(cumin seeds) - 1 tsp

·         Red chilli - 1

·         Cinnamon - 1 inch long piece

·         Clove - 2

·         Black pepper - 3 to 4

Ingredients for Dabeli stuffing

·         Potatoes - 4

·         Tomatoes - 2

·         Green chilli - 1

·         Ginger - 1 inch long piece

·         Butter - 1 tbsp

·         Oil - 1 tbsp

·         Jeera(cumin seeds) - ½ tsp

·         Heeng(asafoetida) - 1 pinch

·         Turmeric powder - ¼ tsp

·         Sugar - ¾ tsp(if you wish)

·         Lemon juice - 1 tsp(if you wish)

·         Salt - add to taste(1/2 tsp)

How to make Dabeli

·         Boil potatoes, peel them and break into small pieces. Wash tomatoes and cut them into small pieces. Grate or grind ginger. Finely chop green chilli.

·         Let us prepare the Dabeli spices which are to be mixed with the stuffing.

Dabeli Masala Powder Recipe

Put all the spices excluding red chilli in a heated pan and roast till it turns light brown. Cool off the roasted spices and grind them into fine powder. Dabeli Masala is ready, this masala is used to mix while roasting the Dabeli stuffing.

How to make Dabeli stuffing

Pour oil and butter in a Kadhai(pan) and heat. Put Heeng and Jeera into hot butter. After lightly roasting Jeera add ginger, green chilli, and turmeric powder. Roast lightly then put chopped tomatoes and fry them till tomatoes are mashed as well as cooked. Now mix salt, potatoes and Dabeli masala and as you stir cook for 3-4 minutes. Dabeli stuffing is ready, take it out in a bowl and keep aside.

How to Prepare Dabeli

Cut 2 sides of Pav in a manner that the remaining 2 sides are stuck together. Heat tawa(flat pan), apply little butter on the upper and lower sides of the cut Pav. Heat them on the Tawa till both sides turn light brown.

Open the cut portion of Pav, on its inner portions(both sides) apply sweet Chutney on one side and salty green Chutney on the other. Now take one spoon full of Dabeli stuffing and place it on the inner portion of Pav. Place 1 tsp Seeng dana, 1 tsp Sev, 1 tsp green Dhaniya, and 1 tsp pomegranate seeds on the stuffing. Take Dabeli on your palm and press to close it.

Scrumptious Dabeli is ready. Serve them hot and eat.