Bhuni chhalli
Roasted corn on the cob
ਭੁੰਨੀ ਛੱਲੀ: monsoon corn cobs roasted over coals, rubbed with lemon, salt and chilli
When the first rains cool Punjab in July, the smell of chhalli roasting over coal braziers drifts across every busy road, and the vendor fans the embers with a straw mat until the kernels pop and blacken. The cob is then rubbed with half a lemon dipped in salt and red chilli, so you get smoke, sour, salt and heat in one bite. Desi field corn is chewy and starchy rather than sweet, which is exactly why it chars so well. The common mistake is roasting on a low flame, which steams the kernels soft without colour; you want high, direct heat and constant turning. Chef's tip: keep a few husks on as a handle and dip the lemon in the masala fresh for every cob.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 4 corn cobshusks pulled back or removed, silk cleaned off
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- ¼ tsp kala namak (black salt)
- 2 lemonshalved
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Mix 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp red chilli powder and ¼ tsp kala namak (black salt) on a small plate.
1 minStep 2: Roast 4 corn cobs directly over a high gas flame or glowing charcoal, turning every 30–60 seconds with tongs. Stay with it; the kernels can catch fast.
4 minStep 3: Keep turning until the cob is charred in patches all over and some kernels pop and crack, 10–12 minutes. A kernel pressed with a fingernail should be tender, not milky-raw.
8 minStep 4: Dip a cut 2 lemons half in the masala and rub it firmly all over the hot cob, squeezing as you go. Repeat for each cob with fresh masala and serve hot.
2 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 110 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 24 g
- Fat
- 2 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does bhuni chhalli take?
- About 20 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of red chilli powder?
- Cayenne, half the amount (hotter).
- What can I use instead of lemons?
- Lime, or 2 tbsp bottled lemon juice per lemon (no zest from bottled juice).
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