Tangy Fruit Chaat | Indian Fruit Salad Recipe

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Cooking With Anadi

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This fruit salad is a popular street food in India and this is where I remember having my first sweet and spicy chaat. The sweet fruits are tossed with salty and tangy spices that really brings about a myriad of flavors in your mouth. You will find yourself reach out to each fruit to see how their specific flavors mix with the exciting spices.

In terms of fruits, you can use any or all of your favorites. My favorite combination includes pomegranate, bananas, apples, oranges, papaya and melons. When picking your fruit, keep an eye out for fruits that are too ripe. Overripe food will have a tendency to turn mushy once mixed together with the spices. Use firm, fresh fruits whenever possible.

The main elements of this chaat usually include a mix of spices - each with their own health benefits. Chaat masala itself is a mix of spices such as mango powder, asafoetida, cumin and red chili.

Other spices used in addition to chaat masala include:

• Cumin powder
• Chili powder
• Black salt

All in all, you can expect to get iron, calcium and magnesium. Vitamins A, B and C while also have benefits such as aiding digestive issues and help with lowering high blood pressure. There are more benefits outlined on this great article about chaat masala here.

When Should I Make a Tangy Fruit Salad?

Fruit salad can pair well with almost any curry as an appetizer or a side. Also, since the summer sun is out, this would make for a refreshing snack during a barbecue. What’s better than beating the summer heat with some fresh fruits and barbecued goodness?

Tools Needed

• Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Saucepan
• Cutting board
• Chef's knife
• Large bowl
• Tongs

How to Make This Fruits Chaat Recipe

In a large mixing bowl, add the black salt, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, chaat masala and mango powder.

Add the lemon juice and mix well.

Transfer the dressing to a saucepan and bring it up to a simmer and reduce until the dressing thickens. Then, set it aside to cool down while you prep the fruits.

Gather the fruits you will be using and chop melons and papaya’s to 1-2 inch pieces, slice bananas to 1/2 inch thick pieces, slice apples about 1/2 inch thick and separate the fruit from the pomegranate and orange.

Add your chopped fruits into a bowl and pour the chaat salad dressing.

Toss the fruits well with the chaat salad dressing and chill for at least 1 hour before serving. Enjoy!

What Goes Into an Easy Fruit Chaat Recipe (and What Does Not)

This easy fruit chaat recipe is a dressing of spices and lemon juice tossed with fresh fruit. The dressing uses 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp black salt (also called kala namak), 1/2 tsp chaat masala, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/4 tsp chili powder, a pinch of black pepper and salt to taste. That is all, and it makes 8 cups of fruit into 10 servings. There is no cream, honey, orange juice, chutney or mint in it, and no potato or chickpeas, so it is a light, tangy fruit chaat rather than a creamy fruit chaat or a fruit cocktail.

Best Fruits for Fruit Chaat

Use 8 cups of assorted fruits, in any mix you like. The combination in this recipe is pomegranate, bananas, apples, oranges, papaya and melons, and cantaloupe or watermelon both work as the melon. Seasonal fruits are a good choice, and you can also try pears, pineapple, mangoes, strawberries or stone fruit such as peaches and nectarines. Pick firm, fresh fruit, because overripe fruit turns mushy once it is tossed with the spices.

How to Make the Chaat Dressing and Serve It

Whisk the spices with 1/2 cup of water, then simmer the dressing in a saucepan until it reduces and thickens, and set it aside to cool while you cut the fruit. Chop melons and papaya into 1 to 2 inch pieces, slice the bananas and apples about 1/2 inch thick, and separate the pomegranate seeds and orange segments. Toss everything with the cooled dressing and chill for at least 1 hour before serving. If you are out of lemon juice, lime juice is slightly more tart, and white wine vinegar works at half the amount. Amchur powder or tamarind powder can stand in for the chaat masala. This fruit chaat works well as a light starter or a side with curry, including on an iftar table.

Serving Fruit Chaat for Ramadan Iftar and Other Occasions

This dish is easy to make ahead because it only needs to chill for at least 1 hour. Fruit chaat is a popular dish for a Ramadan iftar table, and it also suits a barbecue or a meal built around curry. When you toss the rest of the fruit into the bowl, remember that the nutrition comes mostly from the fruit itself, with the spices adding flavor in place of cream or added sweetener. Save the recipe for your next round of delicious recipes to share with family and friends.

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