Fruit Chaat
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If you’re looking for a simple appetizer or refreshing dessert to follow your Indian meal, or if you’re just looking for a new twist on fruit salad, this Fruit Chaat recipe fits the bill! Made with a variety of sweet and tangy fruits tossed in a dressing featuring the popular chaat masala seasoning blend, it’s quick to make and will give your taste buds something to sing about!
If you’re looking for something fruity and refreshing that is a little different than your typical fruit salad, look no further than this popular Indian dish known as Fruit Chaat! It’s an Indian-style fruit salad with kick and complexity!
What is a Fruit Chaat?
Fruit chaat in an Indian fruit salad that is popular in India and Pakistan. It combines a variety of fresh fruits and berries that are tossed with a simple dressing made with lemon juice and chaat masala, a popular Indian spice blend. The chaat masala adds incredible complexity and interest to an otherwise simple fruit salad; the flavor is simultaneously tangy, sweet, savory, fruity, and spicy.
What Fruits are in Fruit Chaat?
There are no set rules but generally you want to select a combination of flavors and textures, meaning both sweet and tangy, firm and soft, crunchy and juicy. Some commonly used fruits in fruit masala include apples, pears, bananas, oranges, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, pomegranate seeds, pineapple, kiwi, papaya and mango.
How to Serve Fruit Chaat
Fruit chaat can be served anytime and makes a great appetizer, dessert, or snack. It’s perfect at the beginning or end of a heavy meal or as a light midday snack.
As a Snack: It makes a refreshing midday day or any time of day pick-me-up. It’s an especially welcome summertime treat.
As an Appetizer:Light and refreshing, it’s a great start to a heavy and spicy meal.
As a Dessert: Light and palate-cleansing, this makes an especially perfect dessert after a heavy meal.
During Special Occasions: In India and Pakistan, it is often served at festivals and religious occasions like Holi, Diwali, and Ramadan.
Can Fruit Chaat Be Made in Advance?
Fruit chaat needs to be served immediately because it gets mushy after it has sat a while and the fruits will discolor. For the best texture and aesthetics, prepare it no more than an hour before you’re ready to serve it.
Fruit Chaat Recipe
Quick and easy, it only involves a few steps:
- Prepare the fruits: Wash and chop all the fruits into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, honey or sugar, chaat masala, red chili pepper, and salt.
- Assemble: Pour the dressing over the fruits and gently toss to combine, being careful not to mash the fruits.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the chaat for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld, but no more than an hour to prevent it from getting mushy. Serve it garnished with some chopped mint leaves if desired.
Note: If you prefer it spicier add a little more red chili powder. If you prefer it sweeter, add more honey or sugar.
Enjoy!
Pair this fruit chaat with any of the following Indian dishes:
- Butter Chicken
- Chicken Tikka Masala
- Egg Curry
- Tandoori Chicken
- Eggplant Curry
- Chicken Biryani
- Chicken Xacuti
- Chana Masala
- Masoor Dal
- Balti Chicken
- Saag Gosht
Fruit Chaat
Ingredients
- 1 apple , diced in bite-sized pieces
- 1 pear , diced in bite-sized pieces
- 1-2 kiwis , peeled and diced in bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup banana , sliced in bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup mandarin orange segments
- 1 cup strawberries , left whole if small or cut if large
- 1 cup seedless grapes
- 1/3 cup pomegranate seeds
- other fruit options: mango, papaya, pineapple, blueberries
- For the Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons honey or sugar (optional)
- 1 teaspoon chaat masala
- homemade chaat masala (recommended for best flavor, click link for recipe)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin , briefly roasted in dry skillet over medium heat until very fragrant
- 1/4 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder , optional for heat (can substitute cayenne)
- pinch of kala namak (black Himalayan salt) , can substitute sea salt or kosher salt
- chopped mint leaves for garnish , optional
Instructions
- To make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, honey or sugar, chaat masala, red chili pepper, and salt.Place the fruit in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the fruits and gently toss to combine, being careful not to mash the fruits. Refrigerate the chaat for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld, but no more than an hour to prevent it from getting mushy. Serve it garnished with some chopped mint leaves if desired.
Nutrition
Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!
