SEV USAL

Sev Usal is a very popular Maharashtrian street food — spicy curry (usal) made with dried peas, topped generously with crunchy sev (crispy chickpea noodles).

Here’s an authentic and simple Sev Usal recipe for you:

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Ingredients

For Usal (Curry):

• 1 cup dried white peas (soaked overnight and boiled)

• 1 medium tomato, finely chopped

• 1-inch ginger, minced

• 2 green chilies, finely chopped

• 1 tsp cumin seeds

• 1 tsp mustard seeds

• ½ tsp turmeric powder

• 1 tsp red chili powder

• 1 tsp garam masala or goda masala (Maharashtrian spice mix)

• 1 tsp coriander powder

• Salt to taste

• 2 tbsp oil

• Fresh coriander leaves (for garnish)

For Toppings:

• Thick sev (fried chickpea flour noodles)

• Fresh coriander leaves

• Lemon wedges

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How to Make

1. Make the Usal (Pea Curry):

• Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Let them crackle.

• Add  ginger, and green chilies. Sauté for a minute.

• Add tomatoes, turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, and a little salt. Cook till tomatoes soften.

• Add boiled peas along with some water (about 1–1.5 cups) to form a gravy.

• Simmer for 5–7 minutes.

• Add garam masala or goda masala. Adjust salt and spice as needed.

2. Assemble the Sev Usal:

• In a bowl, pour a ladle of hot usal.

• Top generously with sev.

• Garnish with coriander, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

• Serve immediately before the sev gets soggy!

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Notes:

• Some versions also add a little sweet chutney and spicy green chutney on top for a more “chaat” style flavor.

• You can use matar (dried green peas) instead of white peas too.