Bhel Puri

Use 100% of the weight. Whisk thoroughly until smooth before stirring into warm gravies to prevent curdling.

Use 90% of the weight combined with 10% lemon juice to replicate the lactic tang and rich body in marinades and curries.

Use the same weight. It is slightly coarser, so stir a little longer to dissolve; in baking, grind briefly if a fine texture matters.

Use the same weight, but dissolve it earlier as it is coarser. It adds a light caramel note and a little colour.

Use the same weight; crush or grate jaggery first. It darkens the dish and adds molasses flavour, so reduce other liquid slightly.

Use the same weight, dry-roasted until crisp. Add sev and chaat masala separately; lighter and less spiced than bhel mix.

Use the same weight, but crush lightly. Much denser and oilier; use as a crunchy topping rather than the bulk.

Use the same weight, crushed. Firmer crunch and more savoury; reduce salt in the rest of the dish.

Use the same weight; cook a little longer. Milder and less sweet when raw.

Use the same weight; sweeter and softer, so reduce cooking time slightly.

Use only the white parts, weight for weight, for raw or quick-cooked dishes; green parts are too grassy for long cooking.

Use the same weight; peel and slice. Practically interchangeable.

Use the same weight; peel and grate. Close, but may be slightly less sour.

Use the same weight; peel and deseed. More sour, so reduce lime or amchoor.

Use the same weight; more minty and less coriander.

Use the same weight; more sour, so adjust salt.

Use the same weight; sharper and sourer.

Use the same weight; taste first as it can be smokier and saltier. Add lime or amchoor if the dish needs more tang.

Use about half the weight, mixed with black salt and a pinch of ground cumin. It gives tang and saltiness but lacks the minty, asafoetida notes.

Use about half the weight and add lime juice to taste. It gives the salty, sulphurous edge but not the full tangy blend.

Use the same weight of the tamarind chutney part and stir in crushed jaggery to taste; mint chutney will be herby.

Use the same weight; sweeter and fruitier, with less tamarind tang.

Use the same weight; more herby and tart, so add a little jaggery.

Crush or break into small crisp pieces and use the same weight as sev; add at the last moment so it stays crisp. It gives a salty crunch but not sev's fine noodle shape.

Crush coarsely and use the same weight; it gives a nutty, crisp legume taste. Add just before serving, as it softens in hot gravy.

Toast in a little ghee until crisp and use the same weight; substitute only for texture as a garnish, not for sev eaten on its own.

Use the same weight, choosing the coriander element if available. If only basil is available, expect a sweeter, more aniseed flavour.

Use the same weight. Basil is sweeter and more aromatic in a different way; add near the end so it keeps its perfume.

Use 1.5 times the weight and reduce other liquid slightly; it is less fresh and more concentrated, so taste before adding more.