Chaat Board is a platter or tray typically used to serve various types of Indian street food snacks known as “chaat.”
What is Chaat?
“Chaat ” is derived from the Hindi word “chaatna,” which means to lick or taste. Chaat is known for its combination of flavours, textures, and spices, resulting in a mouthwatering experience.
I am a great fan of street food and like to serve it to my friends and family. I prepared this chaat board for a late evening snack, so it could serve the purpose of dinner too. you can choose to curate your own Chaat Board.
Most of the Chaat elements can be either homemade or can be storebought.
How to curate a Chaat Board?
Chaat Boards are very versatile. It is a fun way to serve Indian Street Food on one board. Since many chaat elements are common you can curate a Chaat Board easily.
Choose chaat items based on your preferences. Whether it’s vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or incorporating specific ingredients, you have the freedom to curate a board that you and your guests like.
A common Chaat Board will require –
Base Elements
The base of Indian chaats is classic elements like
Papdi | Golgappas
Chickpeas ( boiled )
Potatoes (boiled )
Sprouts ( boiled )
Chutneys and Sauces
Sweet Tamarind Chutney
Spicy Green Chutney
Lassan Chutney
Whipped Yogurt
Toppings
Spices
Red Chilly Powder
Yellow Chilly Powder
Black Salt
Roasted Cumin Powder
Chaat Masala
Other Toppings
Ginger Juilliene
Slit Green Chilly
Pomegranate Pearls
Coriander Leaves
Nylon Sev
These are the basic elements for any Chaat. Now l have added some special elements as I served this Chaat Board as a meal. Here is what I served on this Chaat Board.
Tikki Chole: Spiced and fried potato patties served with Chole, a special Chickpea curry. This is a popular street food from Delhi.
Daalwada | Moongdal Wada: Crisp and delicious pakora made with split green moong dal. A popular street food from Gujarat, served with onion slices and fried green chillies.
Palak Dahi Vada: Spinach and Lentil fritters soaked in yoghurt and topped with tamarind chutney and spices.
Dahi Papdi Chaat: A North Indian Chaat where flat crisp poori or cracker is the base element. It is topped with boiled potatoes, chickpeas and sprouts. Next laced generously with creamy yoghurt, and chutneys and finally finished with a variety of spices and sev. It is a complete burst of flavours.
How did I assemble my Chaat Board?
I choose a big platter as my board. I used different sizes of bowls for all other elements.
Arrange Different Components in Sections
I placed Chole in an earthen pot and the Tikkis next to it on the board.
I made the Palak Dahiwada in small single servings, so the guests could pick from the platter.
Next, I placed the Dalwada in an earthen bowl, with fried green chilli and onion as its accompaniment.
For Dahi Papdi, I spread the papdi on one side and the toppings next to it. I placed the spices and sauces next to them. I had put some leaf bowls for the guest to customise their chaat.
For serving, keep a couple of spoons and tongs, and some leaf or earthen bowls.
Why serve a Chaat Board?
- Chaat Board is visually appealing.
- Unique and engaging dining experience.
- Customisable.
- Vibrant colours and textures, make the board festive.
- A Gourmet look to street food.
- Easy to assemble with pre-prepared items.
- Most of the elements can be store-bought.
- A fun way to enjoy .
Some Other Boards that I have Prepared
Diwali Sweet and Snack Platter
Chaat Board
Equipment
- Pressure Cooker
- Mixer/ Grinder
- Pans
- Board or Platter
- Bowls of various sizes
- Spoons and Tongs
Ingredients
Base Elements
- Tikki
- Chole
- Palak Dahiwada
- Dalwada
- Papdi
- Boiled Potatoes
- Boiled Chickpeas
- Boiled Sprouts
Sauces
- Sweet Tamarind Chutney
- Green Mint Chutney
- Red Garlic Chutney
- Whipped Yogurt
Spices
- Red Chilly Powder
- Yellow Chilly Powder
- Black Salt
- Chaat Masala
Topping & Accompaniments
- Sliced Onion
- Fried Green Chilly
- Nylon Sev
- Pomegranate Pearls
- Coriander Leaves
Instructions
- I placed Chole in an earthen pot and the Tikkis next to it on the board.
- I made the Palak Dahiwada in small single servings, the guest could pick it from the platter. Keep extra bowls in the refrigerator.
- Next, I placed the Dalwada in an earthen bowl, with fried green chilly and onion as its accompaniment.
- For Dahi Papdi, I spread the papdi on one side and the toppings next to it. I placed the spices and sauces next to them. I had put some leaf bowls for the guest to customise their chaat.
Notes
Vaishali, I now know what I have been missing the past few years! Reading your breathtaking pictures that talk so much about your love to food and attention to details. This chaat board has got me overboard with joy and wanting to taste the entire platter!…The efforts that must have gone into curating this is mind blowing. Thank you for sharing such a mater piece!
Valli, thank you so much for boosting me. These boards are so interesting and addictive that I love to curate them. I hope I am able match up your expectations in future too. Your words mean a lot. ❤️
Vaishali….i make chaat board often for dinners as a starter…so i came here -thinking how would you do it….after seeing this…i have realised I probably do a touch and brush board …….this is the real deal….fantastic and for bookmarks. This also reminds how rich our chaat culture is and you are probably the perfect chef to curate this together….lovely pictures and great details….so glad to be visiting you all over again
Thank you so much Pradnya, you put me on cloud 9
Its 8:45 pm here, ut this chaat board is making me hungry all over again 🙂 what a smashing collection of texture, flavours and different dips / chutneys.. I could simply drool all over this again and again virtually till I try the real deal at your place ! bookmarking this for Holi!
Kalyani , its a deal! Whenever you are in my town, I will serve you a wonderful chasst board. Thank you for the appreciation.
You are my guru anytime when I crave chaat. I don’t think I can ever match your level of skill when assembling a chaat board. Hopefully one of these days I can come and visit you and enjoy the delicious chaat. What a well-written post and very useful for newbies like me.
Thank you Sandhya! Would love to host you, please come. Promise to serve you different chasts.
Guru / he he – I love the title ❤️
Wow, Viashali! Looking at the board, I was overwhelmed. I like the way you divided different components of the board, which made it easy to arrange my board. Once I figured out wha the basic elements and the topping are, it was a breeze to put it together. Thanks for sharing this. As always, this is my go to place for ideas for putting together a thalis and an elaborate meal. Now the food boards.
Thank you so much Usha. Thali’s have been a passion, but now I love curating these boards. They are simple, vibrant and pleasing.