Peanut chaat boasts bold flavours and a gratifying crunch

This recipe has all the qualities that make a snack irresistible. It s alluringly colourful, has a gratifying crunch and boasts sweet, spicy, tangy an...

This recipe has all the qualities that make a snack irresistible. It’s alluringly colourful, has a gratifying crunch and boasts sweet, spicy, tangy and salty flavours that pop with the energy of a dance party. You might associate such a can’t-stop-won’t-stop snack with packaged puffs laden with artificial flavours and food dyes, but this one is made with the most healthful ingredients: vegetables, fruit, legumes, herbs, citrus and spices.

Based on a recipe from food writer Khushbu Shah’s exciting and accessible debut cookbook, "Amrikan,” peanut chaat is a dish, Shah writes, that "my mom often makes me when I tear into the kitchen hangry, in need of a snack that has some actual substance but isn’t too heavy.”

It’s a cinch to pull together. Just chop some red bell pepper, cucumber and onion (or any crunchy vegetables you have on hand, such as carrot, jicama, radish or celery), then toss with pomegranate seeds or diced apple, peanuts, a squeeze of lemon, and two special seasonings: chaat masala and Kashmiri red chili powder.

You might not have these in your pantry yet, but I guarantee that once you try them, you’ll want them on hand all the time.

Shah describes the lip-smacking spice mix chaat masala as "that person you always invite to a party simply because they make any room they are in fun,” and I totally agree. In the book, she offers an easy recipe for a homemade version but also gives readers the go-ahead to use store-bought.