Sev Usal! A Symphony of Crunchy Textures and Tangy Spices

Hailing from the bustling streets of Solapur, a city nestled in the heart of Maharashtra, sev usal is more than just a dish; it’s an experience – a delightful dance of textures and flavors that tantalizes your taste buds with every bite. Imagine this: fluffy, steamed usal (a lentil stew) adorned with crisp, golden sev (thin, crunchy noodles), all bathed in a symphony of tangy spices.

The beauty of sev usal lies in its simplicity. It’s a dish that celebrates the essence of Indian street food – bold flavors, minimal fuss, and maximum satisfaction. Yet, beneath this seemingly humble facade lies a complexity of tastes and textures that make it truly unforgettable.

Unraveling the Layers of Sev Usal

Sev usal is a testament to the art of blending contrasting elements to create culinary harmony.

The Usal: The heart of the dish lies in its usal, a comforting lentil stew made with sprouted moth beans (matki). Cooked until tender and infused with aromatic spices like turmeric, cumin, and coriander, the usal boasts a subtle sweetness balanced by the earthy notes of the lentils. It’s often garnished with chopped onions and cilantro for added freshness and visual appeal.

The Sev: Now, let’s talk about the sev – those magical crispy noodles that elevate sev usal to another level. Made from chickpea flour (besan), the dough is meticulously extruded through a sieve, creating delicate strands that are then deep-fried until golden brown and delightfully crunchy. The sev provides a delightful contrast in texture, offering a satisfying crunch with every mouthful against the soft, melt-in-your-mouth usal.

The Spice Symphony: Sev usal wouldn’t be complete without its signature spice blend. A medley of pungent spices like chili powder, ginger, garlic, and garam masala are roasted and ground to create a fiery, aromatic paste that adds depth and complexity to the dish. This spice mix is then added to the usal along with a squeeze of lemon juice for tanginess, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors.

Bringing it all Together: The final touch involves generously topping the steaming hot usal with a generous handful of crispy sev, creating a visually appealing contrast of colors and textures.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Sev Usal Nirvana

While enjoying sev usal at a street stall is an experience in itself, making it at home allows you to customize the flavors and spice levels according to your preference. Here’s a simplified guide:

Ingredients:

• For the Usal:

  • 1 cup sprouted moth beans (matki)
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

• For the Sev:

  • 1 cup chickpea flour (besan)
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • Salt to taste
  • Oil for deep-frying

• For the Spice Paste:

  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp garam masala
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tbsp roasted cumin seeds
  • 1 tbsp roasted coriander seeds
  • A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
  • 2-3 tbsp oil

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Usal: Rinse and soak the sprouted moth beans for a few hours, then pressure cook them until tender. In a separate pan, heat oil, sauté onions until translucent, add ginger-garlic paste and spices, and cook for a few minutes. Add cooked beans and water, adjust seasoning, and simmer until thickened.

2. Make the Sev: Combine chickpea flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Gradually add water, kneading to form a stiff dough. Fill a sev maker with the dough and extrude thin strands into hot oil. Deep fry until crispy golden brown. Drain on absorbent paper.

3. Spice Paste Magic: Roast all spices for the paste separately until fragrant. Grind them together to a fine powder.

4. Assembly: In a serving bowl, place steaming usal. Sprinkle generously with sev and add spice paste according to your preferred level of heat. Squeeze lemon juice over the top, garnish with chopped cilantro, and serve hot!

Sev Usal: Beyond the Plate

Sev usal is not just a dish; it’s an experience that transcends taste. The aroma alone can transport you to the bustling streets of Solapur, where vendors skillfully ladle steaming bowls of this delicacy into eager hands.

The beauty of sev usal lies in its versatility.

Variations:

• Spicy Sev Usal: For those who love a fiery kick, increase the amount of chili powder and add green chilies for an extra punch.
• Tangy Sev Usal: Amp up the tanginess by adding a tablespoon of tamarind pulp to the usal.

Sev usal is typically enjoyed as a breakfast or lunch item, accompanied by soft pav (bread rolls) or puri (fried bread). Its simplicity and affordability make it a popular choice amongst all strata of society.