Sev

Deutsch: Sev / Español: Sev / Português: Sev / Français: Sev / Italiano: Sev

Sev is a popular Indian snack made from chickpea flour (besan), which is seasoned, extruded into thin strands, and deep-fried until crispy. It is part of a broader category of Indian snacks known as "namkeen."

Sev refers to Indian thin string-like fried savory snack made out of gram flour. It looks like fried thick Chinese noodles. Sev is one of the ingredients used to prepare Sev Puri and the popular Bombay snack called Bhel Puri. In India, they are also be eaten plain. Presently, there are a lot of existing spicy and non-spicy varieties of Sev available in specialty Indian stores and as part of restaurant menu.

Description

Sev is characterized by its crunchy texture and can be seasoned in various ways, ranging from plain salted to spicy or garlic flavors. The strands of sev are thin and fragile, typically yellow in color, and are used both as a standalone snack and as an ingredient in other dishes. It is often used as a garnish on Indian street foods like chaat, adding a delightful crunch.

Application Areas

Sev is incredibly versatile in its use in Indian cuisine:

• As a Snack: Sev can be eaten on its own as a crunchy snack.
• In Chaats: It is commonly used as a topping in many types of chaat, such as Bhel Puri, Sev Puri, and Dahi Puri, adding texture and flavor.
• In Cooking: Sev can also be incorporated into dishes like Sev Tamatar (Sev with tomatoes) and other curries as a key ingredient.

Well-Known Examples

Some popular dishes that incorporate sev include:

• Bhel Puri: A spicy and tangy Indian street food snack made from puffed rice, vegetables, tamarind sauce, and topped with sev.
• Sev Puri: A type of chaat made from puri loaded with diced potatoes, onions, coriander, and tamarind sauce, topped with sev.

Recipes

Basic Sev Recipe: Ingredients:

• 1 cup chickpea flour (besan)
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder (optional)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Water as needed to form a dough
• Oil for deep frying

Instructions:

1. Make the Dough: In a bowl, mix the chickpea flour, turmeric, chili powder, and salt. Gradually add water and knead to form a stiff dough.
2. Heat Oil: Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat.
3. Extrude Sev: Fill a sev maker or a large syringe with a small-holed disc with the dough. Press the sev maker directly over the hot oil, moving in a circular motion to form small circles or random strands of sev in the oil.
4. Fry: Fry the sev until crisp and golden. It will cook quickly, so keep an eye on it to ensure it does not burn.
5. Drain and Cool: Remove the sev using a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Allow it to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Summary

Sev is a quintessential element in Indian snacking culture, celebrated for its versatility and delightful crunch. It adds a unique texture to a variety of dishes and is enjoyed for its flavorful presence in snacks across India.

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