Mexican Bhel

Recipe: Mexican Bhel

Mexican Bhel is actually like a Mexican Salad but with a slight twist. A bit of sev is added as that goes almost in all the chaat recipes. Also the salsa is prepared a bit more spicy as Indian green chillis (lavangi or jwala) are used. Add vegetables of your choice. The basic components are sweet corn, onion, tomatoes, beans either red or black, bell pepper and avocado. Adding carrots, cucumber, olives, cheese is optional. Mexican Bhel is a great addition to your party menu, for kitty parties, kids parties, as a light lunch, or as a different kind of chaat.

It is amazing how India tends to ‘Indianize ‘ western dishes. Mexican bhel is an innovative way to serve the famous street food Bhel.

Memories – May 2015

When I wrote this post in May 2015, floods in Nairobi and surrounding areas was the main news for several days. This resulted in traffic delays, flooded highways, homes filled with rain water and power station affected resulting in blackouts. It rained a bit more than usual as it was suppose to be the short rain season.

However, it didn’t rain that much to cause all the flooding. The blame lies with County as before the rainy seasons sets in they fail to clean the drainage system. Open drains, gutters are filled with rubbish which includes plastic bags, plastic bottles, food packages, etc. These block the drainage system, resulting in floods.

Plastic

Kenya has to prevent the use of plastic bags and bottles. I always remember to carry my reusable shopping bags which includes my kikapu whenever I go to the supermarket, Indian Grocery Store, Vegetable Market. We need to recycle more.

I want to share a link with you. Came across it on Facebook. Watch it to understand what happens to all this plastic.
The story of the 3 bottles

Fast Forward to 2023, Kenya has banned thin plastic bags, plastic water bottles are not used by most hotels and restaurants. Instead reusable glass bottles are used. Shops, Supermarkets encourage you to carry reusable shopping bags. If businesses need to use plastic bags, they have to have their business name printed on it and also pay tax for using plastic bags.  So that is a step towards a cleaner environment.

Some Chaat Recipes You May Like

CHANA CHAAT | CHICKPEA CHAAT

Chana Chaat | Chickpea Chaat is a lip smacking, tasty, snack with  flavours that are sweet, salty and tangy all present in one dish. It is popular as street food, especially in North India.

Check out this recipe

GUNPOWDER ALOO DAHI CHAAT

Check out this recipe

FARALI PAPDI CHAAT

Farali Papdi Chaat is a gluten free way to enjoy the famous Indian Street Food, Papdi Chaat. Mixture of simple ingredients results in a tangy, sweetish, delightful lip smacking snack.

Check out this recipe

IDLI CHAAT

Idli Chaat is a makeover of leftover idlis. Idlis are fried till crispy. It is a lip smacking,irresistible, gluten free, flavourful snack. Chutneys, vegetables, fruits, yogurt all add a medley of flavours.

Check out this recipe

DAHI PAPDI CHAAT

Dahi Papdi Chaat is a crisp, tangy, sweet, flavorful, lip smacking, street food that is very common in the Indian Sub Continent. 

Check out this recipe

RAM LADOO

A simple but very tasty savoury snack or Chaat made from lentil fritters, served with chutneys and grated radish. My version of Ram Ladoo just got healthier as I didn't deep fry the fritters but used an appe pan to make them. Added another twist to the traditional Ram Ladoo by topping it with grated beetroot and carrot too.

Check out this recipe

HEALTHY BHEL

A healthier version of the traditional bhel puri where I've avoided using fried papdi and added a variety of vegetables and fruits. Filling and very tasty. 

Check out this recipe

Also check out Chinese Bhel which I make as a starter for parties.

Ingredients Required For Mexican Bhel

Tortilla

I like to brush a bit of oil over the tortillas on both sides, and cut into pieces. Layer the pieces on a baking tray. Bake for 8-12 minutes in a preheated oven at 180ºC. Or till the chips are crunchy. You can easily use leftover roti. Brush with oil or ghee on both sides and bake. Alternately, buy ready made tortilla chips.

Beans 

Either red or black kidney beans. If you are using dried ones, then soak them in warm water for 6-8 hours. Drain out the water and wash the beans. Cook in enough salted water till done. If using a pressure cooker, usually 3 whistles are enough. Can boil them in a saucepan with enough water but it takes longer. If you want to pressure cook them in the instant pot, then set it on high pressure for 10 minutes. Allow natural pressure release or manually. Alternately, use canned beans.

Sweet Corn

Use fresh, frozen or canned. If you are using fresh, then boil the corn on the cob and then remove the kernel. Usually takes about 1-2 whistles in a pressure cooker. Or can boil them in a pan till done. Boil frozen corn in a pan till done.

Bell Pepper

Use any colour of your choice. Core and remove the seeds. Dice the bell pepper. I haven’t added any as hubby doesn’t like them.

Spring Onion

Remove the bad leaves. Wash the spring onion and chop.

Cheese

Best to use cheddar cheese. Cut it into tiny cubes or grate it. Can omit cheese if you want to.

Cucumber

Wash and cut one small cucumber into small pieces or cubes. I like to use English cucumber which does not need to be peeled.

Cilantro | Coriander

Wash and chop finely.

Avocado

Peel and cut into small cubes. Drizzle lemon | lime  juice over it so it doesn’t turn black.

Tomato

Cut them into tiny pieces, as you need it to make the salsa.

Green Chillis

Chop it up finely. Need it for the salsa.

Garlic

Peel and mince.

Cilantro | Coriander

Wash and chop finely.

Lime | Lemon Juice

If you don’t get lime then use Indian lemon.

Fresh Tomato Puree

Use passata or make it at home. Boil 4-6 tomatoes in little water till done. Allow them to cool. Remove excess water and puree in a blender. Don’t throw away the juice/water. Use it up in soups, dals, stews, etc.

Salt

Add according to your taste.

Black Pepper

Either use fine pepper powder or coarsely ground.

Cumin Powder

Add according to your taste.

Red Chilli Powder

Optional. Depending on how hot you like the salsa. I find that the heat from the green chillis is enough for us.

Please Note:

This recipe was first published on 15/05/2015. I’ve redone the post on 18/07/2023 with new photos and have added the salsa recipe. Also have updated it with a video showing how to bake the tortilla, make the salsa and finally the Mexican Bhel.