Thursday, September 06, 2007

Mexican chaat masala




They call it fruit seasoning, but it's really chaat masala. I found this at a little local Mexican shop last year in Seattle, when we were visiting my sister. I bought it because I found it intriguing - and when I opened the bottle and sniffed at the contents, the sharp lemony-chilli aroma went straight to my taste buds and salivary glands without my tongue even getting a look in!

Not that my tongue was deprived for long, because I tried it (the seasoning, not my tongue) over pears and mangoes and apples and ooooh, it's chaat masala allright - it makes FANTASTIC fruit chaat! A bit salty and a bit lemony and all the flavour of chillies without the heat and SOOOO aromatic. Who knew the Mexicans used fruit seasoning, just as we do? Well, I didnt, for one.

If you like chaat, this lovely Mexican seasoning is perfect. If you can find it, buy it. You wont regret it. Those of you who already know about this seasoning, ignore my post, it will have nothing new in it for you :)

11 comments:

bee said...

best of all, it doesn't have that pukey black salt smell that really bothers me in indian chaat masala.

Shammi said...

Yesss! That's what's refreshing about it! :)

Richa said...

hey, nice to know @ the masala, will look for it :) am always up for chatpata masalas, well who isn't..... ;)

Silent One said...

What a strange coincidence !! we had this with mango too over the long weekend and it was yummmyyy !! i have been looking for this around London but cant find it anywhere :(.. do you know of any places in the UK where I can get it ?

Rajesh &Shankari said...

oooh sounds good..superb idea U rock!

archana said...

I made the Amazon chocolate cake from your recipe. It turned out grand :)Thanks for sharing this recipe :)

Sia said...

i too am not aware of mexican fruit masala. will look out for this.. thanks for the useful info shyam

Raaga said...

wow... so its not just Indian regional cuisine that has similarities with one another... global cuisine too.

Nice to know

Shammi said...

Richa: True... this isnt spicy, just tangy. The chilli heat level is nearly zero, but the aroma and flavour of chillies is 100%.

Silent One: Dunno if it's available in the UK... most likely not. :( Can get some for you next time I'm in the US. :)

Shankari: Thanks!

Archana: Glad you liked the recipe!

Sia: You're welcome! It's good to feel useful for a change! :)

Raaga: I know! That's why I was thrilled when I saw the bottle - and even more pleased when I tasted the seasoning! I just LOVE Mexican food and it's great that it has things in common with Indian food other than coriander!

Finla said...

Reading you post i think it is a pity we don't get the mexican chat masala here as it sounds better than the indian one.
Not that i've anything against the indian ones, but it seems this is better.

Shammi said...

Happy Cook: We dont get it in the UK either :( I like this seasoning because it's more refreshing and has a cleaner taste than regular Indian chaat masala.