A classic at every Pakistani Iftar and summer gathering, Homemade Cream Chaat is all about the delicate balance between velvety dairy and the natural acidity of seasonal fruits.
I’ve refined the ratio to ensure the dressing is rich enough to coat the fruit without becoming heavy or overly sweet.
The Secret to a “Non-Watery” Cream Chaat
The biggest challenge with fruit chaat is the fruit releasing water, which thins out the cream. I suggest to macerate the high-water fruits (like apples and pears) in a sprinkle of sugar and a squeeze of lemon for 5 minutes, then drain the excess juice before folding them into the cream base. This keeps your chaat thick and restaurant-style for hours.
1. The Perfect Cream Base Ratio
For a truly professional mouthfeel, I recommend a 3:1 ratio of chilled heavy dairy cream to thick Greek yogurt. The yogurt adds a subtle tang that cuts through the fat of the cream, while a teaspoon of honey or condensed milk provides a smoother sweetness than granulated sugar.
2. Flavor Enhancements: Beyond the Fruit
To make this from a simple fruit salad to an authentic Pakistani Cream Chaat, I incorporate:
- Black Salt (Kala Namak): Just a pinch to provide that essential “chatpata” savory undertone.
- Toasted Nuts: Always add walnuts or almonds just before serving to maintain their crunch against the soft fruit.
- The “Bloom” Technique: If using Chat Masala, whisk it into the cream first rather than sprinkling it on top. This allows the spices to “bloom” in the fat of the cream, distributing the flavor evenly.
3. Texture Matters
A gourmet chaat should have variety. I combine soft textures (bananas, mangoes) with crisp textures (pomegranate seeds, diced apples) and a chew factor (soaked raisins or chopped dates).
Easy Cream Chaat Recipe
Ingredients
- Apple 2 medium (peeled)
- Banana 4
- Peach 2 (peeled)
- Mango 1 medium
- Grapes 1 cup
- Pineapple chunks 1 cup
- Cream ½ cup
- Mayo 2 tbsp
- Sugar 4 tsp or to taste
- Rooh Afza 1 tbsp
Instructions
- Cut apple, banana, peach and mango into small chunks.
- Mix together cream, mayo and sugar.
- In a bowl add all fruits and cream. Toss gently.
- Drop over roh afza or any other red syrup.
- Keep in refrigerator to chill then serve.
You can serve this to 4 people.
