Passage to India
Bhel puri was my gateway to the regional cooking of India. Back in the early nineties, I fell for this earthy toss of puffed rice, potatoes, peanuts, chickpeas, chutney, and more. Most likely born of Mumbai, in the state of Maharashtra, the dish is a decadent salad, a sweet, sour, and bright mix of chewy and crispy bits. Now, each time I dine at Khana Indian Grill in Fayetteville, Arkansas, I begin with bhel puri, because the restaurant’s take, served on heart-shaped plates