Parle Cheesling Bhel

Recipe: Parle Cheesling Bhel

Are you wondering what Parle Cheesling Bhel is? Well, first of all let me tell you that this easy to make mixture is bursting with flavours and textures – sweet, spicy, salty, crunchy, cheesy, tangy, soft. Actually it is so difficult to describe the flavours of a bhel or a chaat. It generally has a balance of salty, spicy, sweet and tart flavours.

 

What Is Parle?

The word Parle here has nothing to do with the French word Parle though it is pronounced in the somewhat in a similar  way – “paa-r- le. ” Except that the the r is stressed. There is a famous area in Mumbai called Vile Parle ( pronounced as veeley paarley). And no it does not mean ‘town speak’.  Around 1897, some rich businessmen came down to the western suburbs and bought real estate on a large scale in the villages of Idlai Padlai. Vile Parle was the name given to these cluster of villages near Juhu. Some believe that the name of that area comes from two small but old temples Virleshwar and Parleshwar.

Parle Products

In 1929 the Chauhan family residing in Vile Parle area started a confectionery factory. In 1939 they began manufacturing biscuits and the most popular brand to date is Parle-G, glucose biscuits. Our family friends live near the factory and every time we would visit them, we would be hit with the aroma of cookies. Unfortunately, that is no more as the factory in Vile Parle closed down in 2016. However, they have several branches all over India and in some countries abroad. Among the many brands of cookies they manufacture, Cheesling Crackers is one of them. And I cannot stop eating these tiny puffed up cushion like crackers. Sinful but super delicious. And they are known as Parle Cheeslings.

What Are Cheeslings?

Cheeslings are mini baked biscuit type snack made from wheat flour, yeast, cheese, flavours, spices, fat,etc.

What Is Bhel?

Also known as a type of chaat, bhel is traditionally a mixture of roasted or fried puffed rice, chopped onion, tomatoes, green chillis, fresh coriander and served with green and tamarind chutneys. When it comes to the recipe I am about to share, I have replaced the puffed rice with Cheeslings and added other ingredients too.

Some Chaat Recipes You May Like To Check Out

Sharing Parle Cheesling Bhel Recipe With Sunday Funday Group

I have been travelling and have tried to cook and click photos of recipes for the most upcoming themes. However, I did not manage to bake any crackers. I almost did not participate in the Crackers theme suggested by Karen who blogs at Karen’s Kitchen Stories. Then I read that she suggested cracker recipes or recipes with crackers. That is when I remembered the Cheesling Crackers Bhel recipe. No cooking required so I whipped the dish up in my daughter’s kitchen and voilà am sharing it today.

Check Out Cracker Recipes Shared By Sunday Funday Members

 

• Sourdough Discard Crackers from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Keto Cheese and Chive Crackers from Cook with Renu
• Easy Inside Out Chicken Cordon Bleu from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Homemade Everything Seasoned Crackers from Amy’s Cooking Adventures
• Homemade Goldfish Crackers from Culinary Cam
• Parle Cheesling Bhel from Mayuri’s Jikoni
• Whole Wheat Crackers from Sneha’s Recipe
• Za’atar Chickpea Crackers from Food Lust People Love

 

When To Serve Parle Cheesling Bhel

• Enjoy it as a quick snack option as it is so easy to put together.
• Serve it as a starter dish in small cups or bowls. Keep the tomatoes, onion, coriander ready by chopping them ahead. Prepare the chutneys a few days ahead. Mix everything just before serving.
• A chatpata or flavourful picnic dish. Mix the cheeslings, sev and peanuts. Mix the chopped onion, tomatoes, pomegranate, coriander, mint in another container. Add lemon juice. Mix when required.
• During summer when you don’t want to slog over a hot stove, make Parle Cheesling Bhel a wholesome meal. Replace spicy peanuts with boiled or roasted peanuts, add chopped cucumber, beetroot and carrot too. Make it a more healthier meal.

 

Ingredients Required For Parle Cheesling Bhel

Parle Cheeslings

Fortunately, it is possible to get these tiny crackers in most countries. Or should I say where ever there is an Indian population you will find Parle products.

Tomatoes

Generally, normal plum or globe tomatoes are chopped finely and added to the Parle Cheesling Bhel. I have used cherry tomatoes simply because I had bought a big batch and wanted to use them up. So basically, add any kind of tomatoes of your choice.

Onion

Generally for chaats and bhel red onion is preferred. However, feel free to use white or yellow ones. Peel and finely chop the onion.

Green Chillis

Slice them. Add according to your taste. The ones I had were very hot so I used only one. If you are making the bhel for kids it is best to avoid green chillis.

Fresh Coriander

Washed, dried and finely chopped. Add the tender stems too as they have a lot of flavour.

Fresh Mint

Add it for flavour. Wash the leaves and tear them with your fingers.

Chaat Masala

I have used ready made chaat masala. If you have home made one then go ahead and use that. Chaat masala is easily available in most Indian stores and online.

Pomegranate

Cut and peel the pomegranate. Add some of the pomegranate arils for a sweetish taste. If you don’t get pomegranate then use some grapes or apple. Can also add some semi ripe mango, finely chopped.

Masala Peanuts

These are readily available in all Indian Stores. I opted to use the Haldiram Nut Crackers. They are peanuts coated in chickpea flour and fried. You can opt to use plain roasted peanuts or flavoured roasted peanuts.

Sev

Sev is another Indian snack that is made from chickpea flour. Again, it is easily available in all Indian Stores or online. You can opt for the super fine one if available or the normal one.

Red Chilli Powder

Optional. I didn’t add any as the peanuts and sev were a bit hot.

Salt

Taste the mixture and add accordingly. Most of the ready made peanuts and sev have salt.

Lemon Juice

To add a bit of a tangy flavour, add according to your taste.

Chutneys

Optional. While my daughter and I preferred it without the chutneys, hubby added a bit of the green and tamarind chutneys.

 

 

 

 

 

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A Small Request:

If you do try this recipe then please either

• add a comment below,
• send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
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• or comment on Pinterest @mayuri62