Whoever has been to the northeastern region of our country, has come back raving about the profound culture and tradition of the states. Their exemplary foods too leave you with fond memories. Manipuri cuisine is famous for its simple, healthy yet delicious foods. The recipes rely less on oil and more on the natural flavours of seasonal produce, spices and fragrant herbs. Chilli peppers are used in abundance to add heat and spice to most of the meals. If you are in Manipur, your visit is incomplete without hogging on the famous street food - Kelli chana.
Kelli chana is a spicy chickpea snack available on the streets all over the city. It is traditionally served on a lotus leaf, bearing the aroma of the leaf. You can't always find regionals herbs and spices everywhere, so regional recipes are tweaked in other places and Kelli chana recipe, too, has been successfully replicated with commonly available ingredients that help in achieving similar, if not same, look and taste.
This Kelli chana is made with a smaller version of white chickpeas, some people may also make it with black chickpeas. Boiled chane are mixed with chopped onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, coriander leaves and spice powders. This chana chat is super rich in proteins from chane and is also very healthy. One plate full of this chaat satiates your evening hunger to the full.
Manipuri Kelli Chana Recipe:
Click here to view the full recipe of this popular northeastern street food.