A vibrant blend of reds, greens, and whites sitting atop a bed of golden puffed rice. Jewel-like pomegranate seeds add a pop of color, while a drizzle of creamy cilantro-yogurt dressing lends a dreamy finish. Clams are peeking through this beautiful chaos, adding an unexpected coastal charm.

Winter Clam Bhel Puri

Name: Winter Clam Bhel Puri
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: Fresh clams, 1 pound scrubbed; Medium red onion, 1 finely chopped; Garlic cloves, 2 minced; Medium bell pepper, 1 diced; Freshly grated ginger, 1 tbsp None; Ground turmeric, 1/2 tsp None; Garam masala, 1 tsp None; Puffed rice, 2 cups None; Fresh pomegranate seeds, 1/2 cup None; Fresh cilantro, 1/2 cup finely chopped; Thick greek yogurt, 1/2 cup None; Freshly squeezed lemon juice, 2 tbsp None; Vegetable oil, 1 tbsp None; Salt, to taste None

Category Side Dish

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 10 minutes

Style Indian

Technique Sautéing

Diet Friendly Gluten-Free

Daily Recipe: January 19, 2025

This recipe is a warm, comforting twist on the classic Indian concept of bhel puri, using coastal-inspired ingredients like clams and incorporating seasonal vegetables for a unique spin. The clam, often overlooked, elevates this dish to a new height with its briny intensity contrasted with the punch of Indian spices.

Ingredients (for 4)

Fresh clams - 1 pound - scrubbed
Medium red onion - 1 - finely chopped
Garlic cloves - 2 - minced
Medium bell pepper - 1 - diced
Freshly grated ginger - 1 tbsp
Ground turmeric - 1/2 tsp
Garam masala - 1 tsp
Puffed rice - 2 cups
Fresh pomegranate seeds - 1/2 cup
Fresh cilantro - 1/2 cup - finely chopped
Thick greek yogurt - 1/2 cup
Freshly squeezed lemon juice - 2 tbsp
Vegetable oil - 1 tbsp
Salt - to taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍳🌶️🧅

Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, ginger and sauté until they become soft.
Step 2 - 🥘🍲⏲️

To the pan, add the clams, turmeric, garam masala, and a pinch of salt. Cover the pan and let it cook until the clams open, about 5-7 minutes. Be sure to discard any clams that don't open.
Step 3 - 🥣🥄🍋

In a separate bowl, prepare the dressing by mixing together the yogurt, half of the cilantro, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
Step 4 - 🍚🍲🥗

Combine the puffed rice with the clam and vegetable mixture in the pan. Then, sprinkle the mixture with pomegranate seeds and the remaining cilantro.
Step 5 - ☁️🥣🥢

Right before serving, drizzle the yogurt dressing over the top of the mixture to maintain the crunch of the puffed rice.

Additional

Traditionally bhel puri is served as a snack in India, but this version would also be perfect alongside a mug of hot soup on a chilly day. If you're not a fan of seafood, you could replace the clams with tofu or tempeh for a vegan version. Do get creative with the ingredients, maybe throw in some diced crisp apples, toasted nuts or roasted sweet potatoes to make it even more winter-ready.