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

A warming, exotic clam and vegetable medley.

Category Side Dish

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 10 minutes

Style Indian

Technique Sautéing

Diet Friendly Gluten-Free

Daily recipe · January 19, 2025

A little about this dish

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.

A final fox tip

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.